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Living with Macular Degeneration: Tips from your Annapolis Eye Doctor

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The leading cause of vision loss in people over the age of 60, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a deterioration of the small central portion of the retina, known as the macula. Currently, about 1.75 million U.S. residents have advanced AMD with that number expected to grow to almost 3 million by 2020.

AMD can make it difficult to perform everyday tasks, such as reading and driving. But the disease is manageable. Although there is currently no cure for AMD, there are several methods designed to slow or even stop the eye disease from progressing.

Home Remedies to Slow the Progression of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

1. Eating Green, Leafy Vegetables: A diet rich in vitamins, like those found in green, leafy vegetables, may help slow the progression of AMD.

2. Taking Supplements: Similar to the above recommendation, taking supplements like antioxidant vitamins and zinc cab help delay vision loss. But check with your doctor before taking any supplements.

3. Eating Fish: A good source of omega-3 fatty acids, fish may lower your chances of getting AMD.

4. Limiting Fat Intake: An abundance of saturated fats could actually increase your risk of developing AMD.

5. Getting Regular Exercise: Maintaining a healthy weight could help lower the risk of developing wet AMD, one of the two forms of AMD.

6. Using an Amsler Grid: If you have AMD, you should check the vision in both eyes daily using an Amsler Grid. And if you notice your vision worsening, it is important to call your eye doctor as soon as possible.

7. Regular Visits with the Eye Doctor: AMD can advance so slowly that individuals initially notice little change in their vision. Other times, AMD progresses more rapidly and may even lead to vision loss in both eyes. This is why regular eye exams are so important.

Living with AMD and the resulting vision loss doesn’t have to be debilitating. There are several ways you can adjust your lifestyle to keep your quality of life as much as possible. Work with your eye doctor to find ways to best use your remaining vision.

To learn more about Age-Related Macular Degeneration, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, consultative optometrists Dr. Nathan Frank and Dr. Corinne Casey, and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com. Staffed by caring and knowledgeable professionals, our state-of-the-art treatment center is dedicated to making the best eye care accessible to everyone.

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

You can also follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!

Source: Age-Related Macular Degeneration – Home Treatment

July is UV Safety Month :: Protect your Eyes from the Sun this Summer

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Sunlight is just one of the many types of energy that the sun releases. Heat is another and Ultraviolet (UV) rays are a third. And while many know that UV rays can cause skin damage, such as sun burn or skin cancer, few people realize that UV rays can also damage vision.

UV rays can attribute to several different eye problems, including:

  • Macular Degeneration: The leading cause of vision loss for older Americans, macular degeneration affects the part of the retina (the macula) responsible for the sharp, central vision.
  • Cataracts: UV rays may also contribute to some kinds of cataracts, which is the clouding of the eye’s natural lens.
  • Pterygium: Another UV-related problem, pterygium is a growth on the white of the eye that can eventually block vision.
  • Corneal Sunburn: Photokeratitis, better known as corneal sunburn, can be extremely painful. It is the result of high short-term exposure to UV-B rays.
  • Skin Cancer: Prolonged exposure to UV rays can result in skin cancer around the eyelids.

Protecting your Eyes from Harmful UV Rays

  1. Eye Protection: Wear sunglasses, prescription glasses, and other eyewear that absorb UV rays.
  2. Wide Brimmed Hat: Wearing a wide-brimmed hat will help block at least half of UV rays, which can come from many directions, reflected off the ground, water, snow, sand and more.
  3. Cloudy Days are still dangerous: UV rays can still damage your eyes on cloudy days, so be sure to wear sunglasses whenever you are outside.
  4. Regular Checkups with your Eye Doctor: One of the best ways you can protect your vision is to schedule regular checkups with your eye doctor – Ophthalmologist or Optometrist. Your eye doctor will not only evaluate your prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses, but he/she will also inspect your eyes for common eye diseases and other problems that could lead to vision loss.

Please be safe this summer and be sure to protect your eyes!

To learn more about UV Safety Month and Proper Eye Health, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, consultative optometrist Dr. Nathan Frank, and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com.

Located in Annapolis, Maryland, the Anne Arundel Eye Center offers comprehensive specialized ophthalmic exams as well as diagnostic pre and post-surgical eye care. Specializing in glaucoma and cataracts, Dr. Boles has helped restore and preserve thousands of patients’ vision.

Vision problems may be a natural part of aging. Losing your vision doesn’t have to be.

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

You can also follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!

Sources:

Protect Your Eyes from the Sun Prevent Blindness America

 

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