| According to the Macular Degeneration Foundation, | | | | such as smoking and obesity. Research cited |
| the incidence of macular degeneration in Australia | | | | below shows that a build up of toxic heavy |
| for people over the age of 50 is 1 in 7. The | | | | metals can damage eye health. |
| disease is sometimes knows as 'age related | | | | Research |
| macular degeneration' (AMD) because the | | | | The National Institute of Health and the National |
| incidence has been found to increase with age. | | | | Eye Institute in the US, published the results of a |
| What Is Macular Degeneration? | | | | random study of people with moderate and |
| Macular Degeneration is a condition that affects | | | | advanced AMD in the Archives of Opthalmology in |
| the macula part of the retina of the eye resulting | | | | 2001, entitled the Age-Related Eye Disease Study. |
| in a disturbance to central vision. Although the | | | | The study reported that a significant slowing of |
| exact etiology of the disease is unknown, it is | | | | disease progression and preservation of sight |
| believed that deterioration of the retina leads to a | | | | could be achieved by taking dietary supplements |
| breakdown in the transmission of signals to the | | | | containing high-dose antioxidants and zinc. |
| brain from the nerves and receptors of the eye. | | | | Research published by Erie et al in 2005 in the |
| When the signals are unclear, the brain cannot | | | | American Journal of Opthalmology, measured the |
| correctly interpret the information it receives and | | | | concentration of toxic heavy metals in the fluids |
| there is a loss of the detail that allows us to read, | | | | and tissues of human eyes. Concentrations of |
| recognise people, perform manual work or | | | | lead, cadmium, mercury, and thallium in ocular |
| manage fine tasks such as threading a needle. A | | | | tissues, ocular fluids, and blood were found in the |
| person with macular degeneration may experience | | | | autopsy of 30 eyes from 16 subjects. The study |
| blurred or decreased central vision, blind spots, | | | | concluded the presence of lead and cadmium |
| wavy lines instead of straight and size distortion. | | | | which had accumulated in the tissues and retinal |
| There are two types of macular degeneration, | | | | pigment epithelium and choroid. Further study into |
| wet and dry. | | | | the toxicity of these heavy metals and their |
| The onset of wet macular degeneration occurs | | | | possible role in eye disease was recommended. |
| when abnormal blood vessels, which have grown | | | | What Can We Do? |
| under the centre of the retina, bleed or leak and | | | | In addition to the medical treatments mentioned |
| scar the retina. Macula damage may occur rapidly. | | | | above, there are a number of common sense |
| It is not uncommon for wet macular degeneration | | | | things we can do to help prevent the onset of |
| to start in one eye and effect the other at a | | | | macular degeneration. |
| later time. | | | | In order for high-dose antioxidants and zinc to be |
| Dry macular degeneration, which is the most | | | | effectively absorbed into the body and to protect |
| common form, results from a gradual breakdown | | | | the eyes from heavy metals, it is firstly essential |
| of cells in the macula leading to blurring of central | | | | to detoxify the body. Published clinical trials have |
| vision. The onset of dry macular degeneration can | | | | shown that when removing heavy metals and |
| be detected early by an optometrist because of | | | | toxins, including pesticides and herbicides from the |
| the presence of small, yellowish spots, called | | | | body safely and effectively, supplements will be |
| drusen, at the back of the eye. However, people | | | | more readily absorbed, the immune system may |
| who have drusen, may not have visual | | | | function more efficiently and normal blood |
| impairment or related symptoms. When dry | | | | pressure may be more easily maintained. Eating a |
| macular degeneration advances due to damage to | | | | healthy diet, including green leafy vegetables and |
| the retina and nerves, vision loss will occur. | | | | fish, is also essential to good eye health. A healthy |
| Macular degeneration is treated by laser surgery, | | | | diet will help with weight control as will some |
| photodynamic therapy where a drug is injected | | | | regular exercise. Giving up smoking is critical for |
| that destroys newly formed, abnormal blood | | | | eye health. |
| vessels or injections, however, none of these | | | | Some people also believe in the benefit of eye |
| treatments can restore the vision that has | | | | exercises to increase eye health. Firstly move the |
| already been lost. | | | | eye slowly from side to side, then from top to |
| Risk factors | | | | bottom a few times. Move the eyes in a circular |
| There are a number of identified risk factors | | | | motion, then reverse a few times. Finally, raise |
| associated with AMD. Family history and age are | | | | your finger level with your nose and focus there |
| thought to be the most common risk factors. | | | | for a time, then focus on something in the |
| People with outdoor occupations and continuous | | | | distance. |
| exposure to sunlight may also be at risk, | | | | Remember the most important step, to take a |
| particularly if their skin is lightly pigmented. Women | | | | daily detoxifying shower on the inside to give |
| seem to be at a greater risk than men. There | | | | your eyes the maximum chance for sustained |
| are also environmental and behavioural factors | | | | health. Your body will love you! |