Take Control Now

If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with macular degeneration or you’re concerned about improving your ocular health, it is very important that you realize there are things you can do to help your eyes. A few simple lifestyle changes could have a positive impact on the health of your eyes and allow you to see the future. Take control of your Eyes!

Things you can do now to help maintain your eye health

Proper Nutrition

A nutritionally balanced diet with plenty of leafy greens, fruits and other vegetables may be among the most important factors in promoting good ocular health. A diet low in saturated fats and high in antioxidants can prevent AMD or slow its progression once established. Good dietary sources of antioxidants include citrus fruits, cauliflower, broccoli, nuts, seeds, orange and yellow vegetables, cherries, blackberries, and blueberries.

Regular consumption of fish and the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish can result in a reduced risk of macular degeneration, according to the findings of a study published in July 2006. Use discretion if you're considering more frequent consumption of fish; certain types of fish may contain high levels of toxins and other contaminants. EyeScience Macular Health Formula® is formulated with Omega-3 fatty acids for those who don’t like fish.

Return to top

Nutritional Supplements

Research called the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) showed that a daily supplement of 500 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C, 400 international units (IU) of vitamin E, 15 mg of beta carotene (often as vitamin A — up to 25,000 IU), 80 mg of zinc (as zinc oxide) and 2 mg of copper (as cupric oxide) reduced the risk of progressing to moderate or severe vision loss by up to 25 percent. EyeScience Macular Health Formula® has built upon the strong foundation of AREDS and formulated the most complete eye vitamin available. 14 clinically proven nutrients to promote ocular health and slow the progression of AMD. Talk with your doctor before using any dietary supplements, particularly in large doses, because they may interact with other medications you're taking, or they may not be right for you.

Get Healthy

Cardiovascular exercise has been shown to reduce both the incidence and progression of AMD. It improves the body’s overall health and increases the efficiency of the circulatory system. High blood pressure has been linked with AMD. The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have your doctor check for it. There are no symptoms, which is why it is called "the silent killer". If you have high blood pressure, it can be controlled by following your doctor's instructions.

Return to top

Quit Smoking

The only environmental exposure clearly associated with macular degeneration is tobacco smoking. Not only does smoking double your risk of macular degeneration development, current or ex-smokers should not take the vitamin supplements that have beta carotene because the risk of lung cancer increases if they do so. Tobacco also interferes with the absorption of lutein, an important antioxidant that protects the retina. Smokers are likely to have low levels of lutein. If you smoke, stop. Cigarette smoking is the single most preventable cause of macular degeneration.

Return to top

Get an Eye Exam

Early detection of macular degeneration increases your chances of preventing serious vision loss. If you're older than 40, get an exam every two to four years, and older than 65, every year or two. If you have a family history of macular degeneration, have your eyes examined more frequently, perhaps annually.

Return to top

Always protect your eyes with sunglasses

Ultraviolet rays are believed to cause damage to the pigment cells in the retina. Orange, yellow, or amber-tinted lenses can filter out both ultraviolet light and blue light. Look for glasses that filter 99 percent to 100 percent of ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. UVA penetrates deeper, while UVB has a more superficial effect.

Education

Learning more about your eyes and the diseases that can affect them will empower you to make better decisions in life. EyeScience.com is your source for AMD education. Our unique “watch & learn” videos will present information like you’ve never seen before.

Return to top

Support

Support is available for the family, friends, and caregivers of people with AMD. There are a number of resources dedicated to helping those with vision loss. It is important to remember you are not alone in this fight.

Return to top