Various ways to prevent AMD

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009 at 1:18 am Post in Eye Diseases

Macular degeneration can cause irreversible vision loss. Although there is no effective cure of AMD, a variety of prevention measures are available to reduce the risk of AMD, especially for older people.

The University of Manchester said that smokers are up to four times more likely than non-smokers to suffer AMD. For old people, it is a necessity to stop smoking.

People consuming many vegetables rich in carotenoids are reported to have a 43% lower risk of AMD than those seldom eat these foods. These vegetables include dark, leafy greens, especially raw spinach, kale and collard greens.

Older people can not absorb enough nutrients from diet alone, so that nutritional supplements including vitamins and minerals are useful to improve eye health.

For people at high risk of developing advanced AMD, the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) has found that nutrients play a key role in maintaining their current vision. The formula of nutrients recommended by AREDS includes vitamin C and E, beta-carotene, zinc oxide and cupric oxide. The study shows that this formula can lower the risk of advanced AMD by 25%. But for smokers, AREDS recommends other nutritional formulas that exclude beta-carotene, which may increases the risk of lung cancer among smokers. Some researchers also oppose formulas with high-dose vitamin E, while others just eliminate its tiny risk.

The British Journal of Ophthalmology has conducted a study of 4000 old people, which showed that regular exercise such as walking can bring down the risk of AMD.

Both Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and the University of Sydney have revealed that high consumption of fish reduces the risk of AMD.

Both Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary have demonstrated that AMD can be decreased by daily fruits and nuts eating.

High glycemic index in refined foods causes a rapid increase in blood sugar and insulin release, which in turn increase the risk of AMD. So that the old should take low glycemic index foods, such as fruits, brown rice, grain breads, apple juice and carrot juice. High index foods including white bread, white rolls and donuts should be reduced.

Cumulative eye damage caused by overexposure to UV and HEV lights are estimated to arouse AMD, so that you’d better to wear sunglasses outdoors.

Cholesterol built-up in blood vessels can inhibit blood flow, which is harmful for healthy eye tissue. In this case, cholesterol controlling can protect the old from AMD. Since high blood pressure is also indicated to have link to AMD, blood pressure controlling is necessary.

Early detection and treatment of AMD can minimize the risk of vision loss caused by ADM. People between 45 and 60 are recommended to take an eye exam every two or three years, and people above 60 should take an exam every year.