Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss which occurs as you age. If you have been recently diagnosed or suspect that you have macular degeneration disease, then this article will provide you with more detailed information about macular degeneration, its risk factors, and steps to prevent its occurrence or manage the disease if you are already suffering from it. Well, read our post now and gather more information about this disease.
What is Macular Degeneration?
Macular degeneration is a disease where the individual experiences a complete loss of vision. The disease is not curable and there is no proper treatment for the disease. The central portion of the retina called the macula gets deteriorated. The macula is responsible to receive the images, controlling the ability to see objects, helping in reading and recognizing faces, etc. When the macula is functioning, it sends the details to the brain via the optic nerve. During the initial development of the disease, it doesn’t affect the vision, but as the disease progresses, people will end up with complete vision loss.
What is the? The following are a few factors that can cause macular degeneration in humans. The list includes:
- Smoking
- Genetic factors
- Obesity
- High cholesterol levels
- Age
- Increased blood pressure
- Direct exposure to sunlight for a longer period
If your blood pressure and cholesterol levels are not within the normal range, then your doctor might recommend more tests to ease the symptom. Sometimes your doctor may suggest using prescription drugs to manage your cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Order your medicines from any trusted online medicine site and avail of amazing medicine discounts on every order you place.
Types of Macular Degeneration
There are two types of macular degeneration
- Dry (Atrophic – 80 to 90% of the individuals suffer from atrophic disease and this is the most common one seen among individuals)
- Wet (Exudative – only 10 to 15% of the individuals develop wet macular degeneration)
Tips to Prevent Macular Degeneration
If you are already diagnosed with macular degeneration or to prevent from getting the disease, then follow the below-mentioned tips to stay safe:
1. Quit smoking
Smoking increases the risk of getting macular degeneration disease and the chance raises two to three-fold higher than that of non-smokers.
2. Include Fish
Yes! Eating two to three servings of fish per week decreases the chance of developing macular degeneration. So, if you love fish and seafood, then never fail to include them in your diet. Achieve its benefits to their maximum and avoid getting the disease.
3. Eat Dark Leafy Green Vegetables
The nitrates present in the dark leafy green vegetables help to prevent the development of early-stage age-related macular degeneration disease. So, try to include the following veggies and leafy greens in your diet beetroot, kale, collard greens, turnip greens, spinach, etc. Also, the leafy greens supply lutein and zeaxanthin. These carotenoids help the retina filter the harmful blue wavelength light; thereby it slows down the development of macular degeneration.
4. Add Vitamin C and Vitamin E
Well! Vitamin C and E are great antioxidants and including them as a part of your diet helps to prevent oxidative stress and lowers the risk of developing macular degeneration. So, include fruits and nuts such as broccoli, strawberries, cantaloupes, apricots, bell peppers, spinach, almonds, peanuts, and safflower seeds to name a few.
5. Avoid refined carbohydrates
Don’t include refined foods in your diet which have a high glycemic index like sugary drinks, white bread, refined flour, potato chips, etc. These foods increase blood pressure, which in turn narrows down the retinal blood vessels and thereby reduces the oxygen supply.
6. Take multivitamins
If you cannot meet your daily requirement through food, then take supplements to reduce the risk of developing disease also, it helps to maintain overall vision and eye health. But, before ingesting any multivitamins speak to your eye doctor. He or she may suggest supplements that suit you based on your requirements. Buy OTC medicines online from the best online medical store and get them delivered to your doorstep.
7. Exercise Regularly
Yes! An active lifestyle is required to reduce the risk of obesity; also, it helps to improve cardiovascular health and supplies oxygen to the retina. Insufficient oxygen can cause damage to the macular cells; thereby it increases the risk of macular degeneration. So, exercise regularly and get freedom from diseases.
8. Wear Sunglasses
When you head out in the hot sun, protect your eyes with sunglasses to avoid the sun’s harmful radiation.
9. Have a Routine Eye Examination
Schedule an annual eye examination with the Ophthalmologist to detect any vision-related problems. If your doctor detects any issues in your eyes, then he or she can start the treatment right away to manage macular degeneration disease.
10. Warning Signs to See a Doctor
If you experience a gradual or sudden change in vision like blurred vision, difficulty in reading, unable to see things in low levels of light, or feel sensitivity to glare then visit the eye doctor immediately. He or she will do a thorough eye examination to find out the cause of the disease.
Possible Treatment Options
Here are a few promising FDA-approved treatments which include
- Nutritional therapy (If the disease is in the early stage)
- Implantable telescope
- Visudyne drug treatment
- AREDS supplements
- Laser photocoagulation (Wet macular degeneration)
- Anti-VEGF therapy (wet macular degeneration)
Proper lifestyle habits, maintaining a healthy weight, and staying fit can successfully prevent the development of macular degeneration as well as preserves your vision and overall health. Always maintain to do an annual eye check-up and subsequent follow-up to evaluate your eye health.
