If you have been diagnosed with Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) which it is an inflammatory pigment condition.

 

The only way of accurately monitoring Macular Degeneration is with Optical Coherence Tomography scanning.

 

Previously AMD was thought to only affect older people but it is now being seen in much younger people and early signs are occasionally seen in teenagers. It is changing from being a scarce condition 30 years ago to a very common condition now affecting up to 30% of people over 70 and the early signs are found in approximately 30% of the general population.

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Dry AMD

 

Dry AMD develops when the cells of the macula become damaged as a result of a build-up of waste products called drusen. It is the most common and least serious type of AMD, accounting for around 9 out of 10 cases.

The loss of vision is gradual, occurring over many years. However, an estimated one in 10 people with dry AMD will then go on to develop wet AMD.

If the earliest symptoms (seen in Pre Macular Degeneration) are treated the affects can be reduced or reversed

 

Wet AMD

 

Wet AMD develops when abnormal blood vessels form underneath the macula and damage its cells (doctors sometimes refer to wet AMD as neovascular AMD).

Wet AMD is more serious and without treatment, vision can deteriorate within days.

 

How is AMD Treated

 

There is currently no cure for either type of AMD.

With dry AMD, treatment is mostly based on helping a person make the most of their remaining vision, such as using magnifying lenses to help make reading easier.

There is evidence that a Lutein, Zeaxanthin & Meso-Zeaxanthin if taken with Omega 3 slow or stops the progression of AMD. These nutrients are also found in dark green or dark red vegetables but not if they have been chilled or frozen as this affects the bio-availability of the nutrient.

 

Wet AMD can be treated with a type of medication called anti - VEGFs (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors), which aims to stop your vision getting worse by helping prevent further blood vessels developing. In some cases laser surgery can also be used to destroy abnormal blood vessels. Early diagnosis and treatment of wet AMD is essential in reducing the risk of severe loss of vision.

 

Reducing Your Risk

 

It is not always possible to prevent macular degeneration as it is not clear exactly what triggers the processes that cause the condition.

Your risk of developing the condition is also closely linked to things such as your age and whether you have a family history of the condition.

The risk factor for developing Macular Degeneration are:

 

• Increasing Age

• Smoking (as this compromises the small capillary blood vessels on the retina)

• UV exposure (Even on cloudy days)

• High energy blue light from mobile phones, computers and tablets

• Diet

• Obesity

• High alcohol consumption

• Blue eyes

• Eating Poly-Unsaturated Fatty Acids, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Vegetable Fat)

• Being Caucasian

 

To reduce the risk of Macular Degeneration:

 

• Stop smoking

• UV absorbing spectacles (Photochromic)

• High Energy Blue light absorbing filters such as Rodenstock Balance

• Increasing dietary intake of Lutein, Zeaxanthin & Meso-Zeaxanthin with either Eye Bar or Macushield

• Increasing dietary intake of DHA Omega 3 without Vitamin A( A dietary intake of one or two Eye Bars per day with Omega 3 reduces the risk of Macular Degeneration by up to 43%)

• Reducing Weight

• Reducing Alcohol consumption

• Eating any type of nut

• Eating oily fish 4 times a week