Abnormal growth of the eye's blood vessels causes the disease, covering key parts of the retina and gradually eliminating portions of vision. Although total loss of sight is rare, eyes can deteriorate to the point where the sufferer is effectively blind from the condition. The disease comes in wet and dry forms, depending on the eyeball's condition.
The National Institute of Health’s National Eye Institute estimates that about 2 million people suffer from the condition, which may increase to 3 million by 2020. Those considered most at risk are people older than age 45 with a family history of the disease.
People who have the dry form of macular degeneration eventually may develop the wet form if too many abnormal vessels proliferate. The dry form of macular degeneration requires a close watch on vision and notifying an ophthalmologist of noticeable changes in vision, such as blind spots growing bigger or new spots that appear. Even with ongoing treatment, new vessels can grow, which is why it is important to have a lifelong schedule of eye appointments to monitor the condition.
The wet form of macular degeneration has been described as one of the leading causes of legal blindness if it appears in one eye. When the condition is present in both eyes, quality of life becomes an issue for sufferers, such as being able to live independently or travel outside the home for daily activities. The good news is that timely treatment not only can slow the condition, but also in many cases, improve vision. As with any disease, early diagnosis is key to treatment. There is no total cure for macular degeneration, but the disease can be delayed with medications that may prevent further deterioration.
Treatments for Macular Degeneration
Among the treatments for macular deterioration are anti-angiogenic drugs, which are medications injected into the eye that block development of blood vessels and stop leakage from the abnormal vessels forming in the so-called “wet” version of the disease.
Laser therapy, which uses a high-energy light to destroy abnormal blood vessels, has also proved effective. There is also photodynamic laser therapy, in which a light-sensitive drug is injected to be absorbed by the abnormal blood vessels in the eye. A cold laser is used to activate the drug, which damages the abnormal blood vessels and causes them to shrink.
Vitamin therapy has also been used. Massive doses of vitamins E, C, beta-carotene, copper and zinc have been used to reduce the advanced dry form of macular degeneration. Some medical professionals recommend lutein and zeaxanthin in place of beta-carotene for better results.
Other forms of treatment include submacular surgery, which attempts to remove abnormal blood vessels, and retinal translocation, which is a surgical procedure targeting the abnormal blood vessels located under the center of the macula, which is impossible to reach safely with a laser. The macular center is moved to a healthy area of the retina, which enables laser treatment of the abnormal blood vessels.
Good Health Helps
The key to preventing macular degeneration is to focus on overall health. That means incorporating regular eye exams, particularly a dilated eye exam that can catch the disease in the early stages of its progression.
It’s also important to manage other diseases, such as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Obesity is a contributing factor in these diseases, so it's important to maintain a healthy weight.
If you smoke, quitting the habit is a big step toward cutting the odds of developing macular degeneration. Smokers are far more likely to develop the disease than non-smokers.
To augment those overall goals, and to boost the odds of avoiding the disease by getting the proper nutrition, eat right and include a variety of fruits, nuts, vegetables and leafy greens.
Doctors particularly recommend these 10 foods:
1) Spinach
2) Kale
3) Broccoli
4) Peas
5) Walnuts
6) Blueberries
7) Salmon
8) Tuna
9) Red Peppers
10) Butternut Squash
These and other fish and vegetables all contain antioxidant vitamins that are particularly effective in stopping development of dry macular degeneration. It is also important to make sure the right fish are a part of a regular meal plan. Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in abundance in salmon and tuna, are part of a healthy diet. But omega-3 fatty acids are present in a variety of nuts, including walnuts.
Carrots Are Key
Although some may consider it an old wives' tale, carrots actually are good for eyesight. Although they are just one of the foods that help, they are rich in the vitamins that help boost the eye’s efficiency.
A good way to keep track of an eye-healthy diet is to strive to eat three different colors of foods per day. That can mean feasting on red peppers, green peas and yellow butternut squash, for example. Different colors have different strengths of the essential vitamins needed to have an impact on eye health. Plus, fresh foods will help maintain weight, key to avoiding excessive blood pressure and other conditions.
Can't stand leafy greens or other foods? Blend certain foods that you may not love in with others that you do. For example, a serving of kale in a smoothie will mask its taste with sweeter fruits. Try pureeing some foods and mixing with yogurt.
Paying closer attention to the small details of good health go a long way, particularly as we age. Part of the plan should always be getting the right mix of vitamins and heart-healthy foods into your diet. In this case, the advantages of adding in omega-3 acids in fish and vegetables rich in vitamins A, C and E cannot be understated.