Five Ways to Protect Your Eyes Against Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

By Sheryl Kraft | September 15, 2011

It’s not uncommon for your eyesight to change as you age. Reading glasses may become your new fashion accessory. Driving at night might become a bit more challenging. But there are some changes – like macular degeneration – that are a bit more challenging to deal with. There are some treatments for the condition, but no cure. But being proactive may go a long way toward protecting yourself and the health of your eyes.

Macular degeneration, a group of eye diseases that affects central vision, is the leading cause of severe vision loss among people 60 and older, according to the National Eye Institute. Though painless, age-related macular, which develops gradually at first, exhibits itself in other ways: difficulty reading, distortion of letters and the ability to see fine details, reduced color vision and a greater need for more light in order to see. It can, unfortunately, lead to a loss of vision in one or both eyes.

More than 10 million Americans are affected by macular degeneration. It’s more prevalent among Caucasians, and occurs more often in women than in men. If you are a smoker, are obese, or have a family history, your risk of macular degeneration may be increased.

While not all risk factors – like family history – can be changed, there are things you can do to help keep your eyes healthy and reduce your risk of AMD.

1. Choose a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, including green, leafy veggies like kale and spinach. According to Lighthouse International, an organization that fights against vision loss through prevention, treatment and empowerment, people who eat five or more servings of dark, leafy green vegetables per week have a reduced risk of developing AMD.
2. Eat whole grains. Whole grains, like whole-wheat bread, are healthier than refined grains like white bread.
3. Eat fish. The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish like salmon, sardines and tuna can help reduce the risk of vision loss related to macular degeneration. Omega-3s are also found in supplements and nuts (such as walnuts).
4. Eat healthy fats. Olive oil, which contains health unsaturated fats, may help protect your vision. Put the butter and trans fats (like those found in many processed foods) aside in favor of healthy oils.
5. Maintain a healthy lifestyle by watching your weight, exercising, not smoking and maintaining normal blood pressure.