Tips to Decrease Your Risk of Age-related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration involves damage to the macula of the eye. This is the part of the eye that controls central vision. When the macula becomes damaged, it leads to a loss of central vision.

Most people with age-related macular degeneration do not lose their vision completely but developing central vision loss can affect your ability to do normal activities, such as driving and reading. 
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It is not always understood why someone develops age-related macular degeneration, but experts have identified certain risk factors. Taking those risks into consideration, there are things you can do to decrease your risk. Consider the following tips:

Don’t smoke: According to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, smoking is a risk factor for developing age-related macular degeneration. The exact reason why smoking may increase your risk of macular degeneration is not clear, but smoking may reduce the blood flow to your eyes and also damage the blood vessels. This combination may increase damage to the macula.

If you do smoke, there are several ways to quit, including medication, hypnosis, and behavior therapy.

Maintain a healthy blood pressure: High blood pressure may cause poor circulation, which can restrict blood flow to the eyes. When blood flow is restricted, it can increase the risk of various eye conditions and may contribute to age-related macular degeneration.

Make sure to check your blood pressure regularly. If your blood pressure is high, talk with your doctor about ways to get it to a healthy level.

Wear sunglasses: Studies indicate that UV rays from the sun can increase a person’s risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, but wearing sunglasses can decrease that risk.

Look for sunglasses that provide 100 percent protection from UVA and UVB rays.  Wear sunglasses even on days that are somewhat cloudy. The sun’s rays can penetrate the clouds and still cause damage.

Exercise: Exercise is good for overall well-being. It also reduces your risk of obesity and helps promote healthy blood pressure, which decreases the risk of age-related macular degeneration.
The biggest factor with developing an exercise program is finding something that you will stick with. Try different forms of exercise, including brisk walking, swimming, and dance classes, until you find the right fit. Aim to exercise about 30 minutes on most days of the week.

Limit junk food: According to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, eating a high level of certain fats, such as polyunsaturated, may increase your risk of macular degeneration. Foods that contain these fats to steer clear from include highly processed foods, such as cookies, chips, and cakes. Swap out junk food for fresh fruits, which provide a sweet treat but also contain nutrients.

Maintain a healthy weight: There appears to be a link between obesity and an increased risk of eye diseases, including age-related macula degeneration. If you are overweight, talk with your doctor about starting a safe weight loss plan.

We hope by implementing the above tips, you can take charge of your eye health and lower your risk of age-related macular degeneration. Remember, one of the most important ways to maintain eye health is by getting regular eye exams.

If you would like to ask whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600.