Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss for people over the age of 60. It is a painless pathology that affects the macula, the part of the retina that focuses on central vision and which is used to read, guide and focus on faces and other figures. There is no known cure for macular degeneration, but certain lifestyle changes, eye surgery, and some precautions can be of immeasurable help. To start reducing the advance of macular degeneration, start reading this article.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Take Care of Your Eyes
Step 1. Don't smoke
Among the many devastating effects that smoking produces on the entire body, there is also that of leading to macular degeneration. Smoking can double your chances of suffering from degenerative macula disease. It hurts you, your eyes, your organs and even the people around you. Consider this reason to quit as the icing on the cake.
- Even if you stop smoking, it may take a few years for the effects of smoking to wear off. Consider it an invitation to start quitting as soon as possible.
- Cigarettes contain tar, which can stimulate the formation of Drusen (waste deposits in the eye). Additionally, cigarettes contain caffeine, a stimulant that can raise blood pressure. Blood vessels under the retina and macula can easily rupture when blood pressure is high.
Step 2. Exercise regularly
Exercise has many health benefits, including eye health. Drusen formation (the waste deposits just mentioned) is linked to high levels of fat and cholesterol. Exercise burns fat and eliminates bad cholesterol, avoiding this waste build-up.
It is recommended that you exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, six times a week. Make sure you focus on aerobic exercises (also known as "cardio"), which make you sweat and burn fat
Step 3. Get the vitamins
The eyes are constantly exposed to the penetrating ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun and the pollutants of smog. Continuous eye exposure to these elements can lead to oxidative stress. Oxidation of eye cells can lead to macular degeneration and other eye diseases. One way to counter this process is to eat foods rich in antioxidants. The most common antioxidants that can help you are vitamins C, E and B, zinc, lutein, omega-3 fatty acids, and beta-carotene. Here's where you can find them:
- Sources of vitamin C: broccoli, cantaloupe, cauliflower, guava, peppers, grapes, oranges, berries, lychees, pumpkin.
- Sources of Vitamin E: Almonds, sunflower seeds, wheat germ, spinach, peanut butter, cabbage, avocado, mango, hazelnuts, chard.
- Sources of Vitamin B: Wild salmon, skinless turkey, bananas, potatoes, lentils, halibut, tuna, cod, soy milk, cheese.
- Sources of zinc: Lean beef and lamb, skinless chicken, pumpkin seeds, yogurt, soy beans, peanuts, starchy beans, sunflower butter, pecans, lutein, kale, spinach, beets, lettuce, asparagus, okra, artichokes, watercress, persimmon, peas.
- Sources of omega-3 fatty acids: wild salmon, rainbow trout, sardines, canola oil, flaxseed oil, soybeans, seaweed, chia seeds, mackerel, herring.
- Sources of beta-carotene: sweet potatoes, carrots, turnips, pumpkins, cantaloupe, spinach, lettuce, red cabbage, watermelon, apricots.
Step 4. Wear protective eye gear, such as sunglasses
Overexposure to the sun's UV rays can damage the eyes and contribute to the development of macular degeneration. For best results, use sunglasses guaranteed to protect from blue light and UV rays.
Step 5. Use optical tools, such as a magnifying glass
The area most affected by macular degenaration is central vision, while the peripheral vision remains partially intact. For this reason, people with macular degeneration can continue to use peripheral vision to compensate for the lack of central vision. This is easily achieved with the help of optical tools such as special glasses, magnifying glasses, magnified reading materials, modified television systems, monitor players and others.
You may benefit from a preventive use of these tools; that is, before you really need it. Don't be ashamed to use a magnifying glass or large fonts, even if you don't really need them
Part 2 of 3: Undergo Medical Treatment
Step 1. Get your eyes examined regularly
It should be noted that since macular degeneration is linked to aging, it cannot be prevented. However, regular checks can lead to early detection and prompt action. If macular degeneration is detected early enough, you can exponentially delay vision loss.
From the age of 40, a regular eye exam should be done every six months or as often as recommended by your eye doctor
Step 2. Get a diagnosis
Diagnosis is made during a routine eye exam, during which the ophthalmologist uses eye drops to dilate or widen your pupils. In case you suffer from dry macular degeneration, the ophthalmologist can easily identify the presence of Drusen or yellow deposits, as soon as the check is carried out. You will also be asked to look at the Amsler lattice, which looks like a normal chessboard. If you see any irregularities in the lines (such as waving and warping), you may be suffering from macular degeneration.
Ocular angiography may also be done, by infusing a contrast fluid into the vein of an arm, which is then photographed as it travels through the blood vessels of the retina. He is able to identify a leak, which is a telltale sign of wet macular degeneration
Step 3. Consider an injection of anti-VEGF agents
VEGF, or vascular endothelial growth factor, is the main chemical that causes the abnormal growth of blood vessels. When this chemical is suppressed by anti-VEGF or antiangiogenic agents, blood vessel growth can be blocked. Your doctor will know if this is a suitable alternative for you.
- A good example of an antiangiogenic is bevacizumab. The standard dose consists of an injection of 1.25-2.5 mg of the drug into the vitreous cavity of the eye. The drug is administered every 14 days.
- The procedure will be performed with the use of a very fine needle in conjunction with local enesthesia, in order to avoid pain. In general, the whole procedure is painless and causes only mild discomfort.
Step 4. Consider using photodynamic therapy
In this procedure, a drug, known as verteporfin, will be administered intravenously 15 minutes before photodynamic therapy. Subsequently, the eyes, especially the abnormal blood vessels, will be exposed to light of the correct wavelength. The light will activate the verteporfin, which was administered previously, to clear the problematic blood vessels.
Again, your doctor will know if this therapy is safe for you. It will be used only in cases where the degeneration has already manifested itself clearly
Part 3 of 3: Understand the Disease
Step 1. What is "dry" macular degeneration
It occurs when there is a massive presence of Drusen in the macula. The "dry" form of macular degeneration is more common than its "wet" form. The following are the signs and symptoms of dry macular degeneration:
- Blurring of printed words.
- Increased need for light when reading.
- Difficulty seeing in the dark.
- Difficulty in recognizing faces.
- Significantly diminished central vision.
- Blind spots in the field of vision.
- Gradual loss of vision.
- Incorrect recognition of geometric shapes or identification of inanimate objects as people.
Step 2. What is "wet" macular degeneration
This form occurs when the blood vessels under the macula grow abnormally. Due to their increasing size, the blood vessels rupture and leak fluid and blood in the retina and macula. Although wet macular degeneration is less common than dry macular degeneration, it is a more aggressive vision disorder, capable of leading to blindness. Its signs and symptoms include:
- Straight lines that look wavy.
- Blind spots in the field of vision.
- Loss of central vision.
- Scarring of blood vessels, which can lead to irreversible vision loss if not addressed promptly.
- Rapid loss of vision.
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Absence of pain.
The cause of macular degeneration is unknown; however, several researches state that there are risk factors that can lead anyone to develop this disease at a later age
Step 3. Genetics plays a key role
If one or both of your parents have contracted macular degeneration, there is a good chance that you can develop it too by the time you reach 60. However, remember that genes are not everything and that how you take care of yourself also matters a lot.
In general, women and African Americans are more at risk of getting macular degeneration
Step 4. Smoking is a huge risk factor
Smokers run a high risk of developing this eye disease. There are many studies that link smoking to macula deterioration. If you are a smoker (especially if you are a woman or an African American), macular degeneration is a risk you should be aware of, even in the absence of symptoms.
Step 5. Knowing your health is also an important issue
People with problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes are undoubtedly at risk. People whose diets consist of high-glycemic carbohydrates also tend to develop macular degeneration as they get older. Remember that a sign of wet macular degeneration is the loss of blood from the blood vessels of the eye. It is bound to get worse if your arteries are clogged with plaque deposits.
You should learn how to control your weight through exercise and proper diet. Avoid foods that raise your cholesterol level, as this can lead to blockage of blood vessels and arteries, affecting your eyes as well as the rest of your body
Advice
- The most common risk factors leading to the development of macular degeneration are age, family history, ethnicity, body weight and other pathological processes.
- Talk to your eye doctor about possible prevention, management, and treatments.
- Learn as much information about macular degeneration as possible to better prepare yourself for this disease.
- People living in hot climates are also at risk, as they tend to be more exposed to the sun.
