Knowing Your Risks Of Macular Degeneration (AMD)
The eyes are the windows to your soul. We observe the beauty around us with our eyes. Learning about the world around us happens through our eyes. And we express our emotions and feelings with our eyes, too. As we age, our eyes take a huge brunt from the environment. If we’re not careful and thoughtful about our lifestyle, our eyesight could be negatively affected.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) has become one of the leading causes of vision loss in people over age 55, with 2 million people in the US currently affected and another 7 million people at risk of developing the disease. AMD is expected to double by 2020.
Learning about this devastating disease will help all of us take proactive steps to maintaining our eye health.
Our eyes have something called macular pigment that absorbs harmful ultraviolet rays, and protect the cells in the retina that respond to light (called photoreceptors) from damage. The building blocks of macular pigment consist of Zeaxanthin and Lutein, the powerful antioxidants that protect our eyesight and boost our vision.
Lutein And Zeaxanthin Are Your Eye Protectors
“Lutein and zeaxanthin act as “internal sunglasses”, providing protection against damaging light,” reports Stuart Richer, OD, PhD.
Regular intake of Zeaxanthin and Lutein, in the form of food and supplements, could contribute to visual performance in several ways. Check out the scientifically validated formula for eye health HERE.
#1 Improved Visual Acuity
This enables the eyes to clearly see detailed pictures.
#2 Increased Contrast Sensitivity
This is the ability of our eyes to clearly distinguish objects against any background.
#3 Lowered Light Sensitivity
Healthier macular pigment helps protect the eyes from the discomfort of bright sunlight.
#4 Speedier Glare Recovery
When exposed to a very bright light, such as sunshine and bright car lights at night, the recovery from momentary “blindness” is faster when macular pigment is boosted with sufficient amounts of Zeaxanthin and Lutein.
Swipe this most delicious recipe for Roasted Tomatoes and Chickpea Curry rich in lycopene
“The dietary carotenoids zeaxanthin and lutein protect the most important retinal real estate of the eye – the macula – which allows us to see detail. It is therefore critical to maintain the quality and health of this area of retinal tissue in a modern society that depends upon using computer screens and driving automobiles, safely,” says Dr. Richer.
Besides taking these important supplements, foods that ‘feed your eyes’ include parsley, spinach, kale, egg yolk.
Macular Degeneration Risk Factors
A fact is that Macular Degeneration (AMD) has no known panacea, but we can control risk factors that contribute to getting the disease. These include:
– Smoking
– Poor Diet
– High Body Mass Index (BMI), i.e, being overweight
– Low Macular Pigment, i.e., not enough foods and supplementation to maintain the healthy amounts of macular pigment
Hereditary risk factors that may contribute to Macular Degeneration (AMD) include:
– Age
– Family History
– Light skin and eyes
– Female gender
I Have heard that krill oil is a great supplement because it doesn’t taste super fishy. SO many omega 3 supplements can.
Who knew that such easy food remedies could help with your eyes?! Thanks for sharing this since our eyesight is super important!
That was a lot of info! Looks like I need to up my intake of spinach and egg yolks.
I had never heard of this before but this is such great information you shared and it’s important too!!
I think we tend to take our eyesight for granted. I know as I was readign this I realized I certainly do. I wonder if I am at risk for macular degeneration. Thank you for bringing awareness to AMD.
I’m weird and always think in “worst-case-scenerios” and have wondered what it would be like to lose my eyesight!! It’s a crazy thought and it is so important to take care of our eyes!! Great post!!
This is such an incredible and informative article, thank you so much for sharing! 🙂
This was really informative. It must be really scary to learn that you are going to lose eyesight. Thanks for the prevention tips!
This is great information, my father suffered from this prior to his passing.
My mom recently found out she has the beginning stages, and she’s scared. She’s now trying to make a ton of family heirloom quilts before she can’t see.
Oh wow! I never knew any of this information. I’ll have to check with my family to see if there is any history with it.
I have never even thought or considered any of this. I have a couple kids who have really bad vision (my husband also was the same as a kid) and they’ve had surgery so I take vision very seriously, I will have to really keep all of this in mind!
I always take extra care of my eyes. I can’t imagine living without vision. Thanks for this informative blog.
I have never heard of this, but I am so glad you took the time to share! Thank you!
This is such great information. I have heard so little about this and it is so important.
I’ve never heard of this but I’ll sure be glad to share this with ppl.
We all take our eyes for granted! I was having allergy issues with my eyes and eyelids a few years ago – and it was immobilizing!
I had never heard of AMD so thank you so much for sharing this info!
Our vision is something many of us take for granted, until it is taken from us. These are great tips to control risk factors that lead to this disease.
Thanks so much for sharing this information. I’m a very visual person, so the thought of slowly losing my vision is horrifying.