| Macular degeneration is loss of central vision as | | | | reduce the risk of developing macular |
| one ages. It is also called aging retinal disease | | | | degeneration. It is therefore important that as |
| because it impairs reading vision. Macular | | | | you grow older you need mega-doses of |
| degeneration is the fastest growing cause of legal | | | | nutrients because of poor absorption due to |
| blindness in the United States. | | | | inadequate digestive juices for digestion and |
| Laser treatment can arrest the fast-progressing | | | | absorption. |
| form of macular degeneration, but does not | | | | Zinc can retard the loss of protective melanin |
| improve vision or preserve eyesight. Therefore, | | | | pigment of the retina against sunlight damage. In |
| prevention is the best option. | | | | addition, zinc helps the release of vitamin A from |
| Are you at high risk for macular degeneration? | | | | the liver. Zinc is an important co-factor in getting |
| If you are over 65, you are at risk, and the risk | | | | vitamin A to the retina. However, it must be |
| increases proportionately with age. If you have | | | | understood that zinc in excess of 25 milligrams |
| blue eyes you are at higher risk than those with | | | | may lead to deficiency of copper, elevation of |
| brown eyes, because blue eyes enable the | | | | LDL (bad cholesterol) levels, cholesterol imbalance |
| blue-violet sun rays to penetrate deeper into the | | | | - all these may cause further damage to the |
| eye tissues of the retina, and hence a greater | | | | retina. Adequate zinc, but not too much, enhances |
| chance of developing macular degeneration. If you | | | | the retina health |
| are a smoker, you have 2.5 times increased risk | | | | Glutathione is another powerful antioxidant to |
| than a non-smoker. If you are a sun worshiper, or | | | | protect retinal cells from ultra-violet-A and |
| spend much time outdoors, you are twice as | | | | ultra-violet-B damage. Selenium and riboflavin |
| likely to develop macular degeneration. | | | | stimulate the production of glutathione. |
| Given that macular degeneration begins much | | | | Omega-3 fats can improve vision. However, |
| earlier, from youth through the age of 30 years, | | | | because they can also cause lipid peroxidation |
| deterioration accelerates as aging progresses. | | | | (that is, they turn rancid on exposure to sunlight), |
| Macular degeneration usually begins in one eye | | | | you need more anti-oxidants. |
| first, and one-fourth patients will develop a weak | | | | Nutrition should also include bioflavonoids, which |
| retina in the second eye as well. This aging retinal | | | | are plant pigments with protective properties |
| disease may have many warning symptoms | | | | against sunlight damage. Foods rich in bioflavonoids |
| before it gets worse and becomes full-blown. | | | | include red onions, red grapes, cherries, and citrus |
| Macular degeneration symptoms include the | | | | fruits. |
| following: outlines of objects becoming blurry and | | | | In short, your diet plays a pivotal role in retina |
| wavy; straight lines becoming crooked; shapes of | | | | health, and hence the prevention of macular |
| objects becoming indistinct and steamy; much | | | | degeneration. |
| slower reading speed; and a prolonged period of | | | | In addition to diet, give up nicotine totally. Reduce |
| time to adapt when going indoor from a bright | | | | your daily intake of caffeine, if you must drink |
| outdoor environment. Eye examination indicating | | | | coffee, because it not only interrupts with retinal |
| lots of solar aging spots on the retina is another | | | | blood flow but also increases blood pressure, |
| tell-tale sign of the development of macular | | | | which is bad for the retina. |
| degeneration. | | | | Aspirin is a blood thinner. It may benefit blood |
| There is little or no cure once the onset of | | | | vessel diseases and prevents blockages of |
| macular degeneration begins. You can retard it, | | | | oxygen to the brain. However, too much aspirin |
| but there is no cure. Prevention is better than no | | | | may cause retinal bleeding, which impairs retinal |
| cure. The key to retina health is to keep the | | | | health. |
| retinal blood vessels open, to avoid buildup of | | | | Macular degeneration is a disease that can be |
| cholesterol, blood clots, and calcification. | | | | prevented - or at least deferred if you live a |
| Nutrition can protect the retina from further | | | | healthy lifestyle. Aging is not the cause of |
| damage. Vitamins A and E, and blood thinner can | | | | degeneration. Retinal disease is a result of |
| improve vision. Vitamins C and E, and beta | | | | accumulative damage to the retina over the |
| carotene, which is a precursor for vitamin A, can | | | | years of neglect or abuse, or both. |