risks

Age Related Macular Degeneration

Home
Background
What is Macular Degeneration
What happens to Vision
Test your Vision
Research
How to Reduce Risks
Links
Contact Information

Survey

What can you do to reduce the risks

Diet (needed to build Macular Pigment)

vegetables rich in Lutein and Zeaxanthin

Eat foods rich in lutein and zeaxanthin (or supplements).
Increase intake of fruits and vegetables

Consuming fish (like tuna) more than once per week may be beneficial
Reduce alcohol consumption (alcohol may deplete antioxidants and carotenoids in the body)

General Health

Decrease cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, obesity, fats, cholesterol)
Are you overweight? Check out your own Body Mass Index (BMI)
Gentle exercise is good for you - but don't overdo it

STOP or NEVER START smoking.
Smoking very seriously affects your health and vision in later life.

Eye protection

Reduce exposure to the damaging effects of bright sunlight, particularly if you have low levels of macular pigment which is the eyes natural built-in sunglasses

Wear uv / blue light blocking glasses/sunglasses (and preferably large or wrap-around types)

Wear hats or caps with eye shielding brims

Optometric Advice

Ask your optometrist to advise on reducing risk of AMD in later life and to measure your prsent levels of Macular Pigment

A Simple ARMD risk calculator (offsite Link)

The higher the risk the more serious you should consider altering lifestyle to reduce the risks.

If your macular pigment levels are also low you should consider altering your diet and/or taking supplements containing lutein and zeaxanthin. If you do not know your macular pigment levels ask your optometrist to measure it for you..