A new study confirms the importance of eating healthy to help protect our eyes from age-related macular degeneration (AMD.) Researchers found that people whose diets had higher levels of certain nutrients— vitamins C and E, zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin, omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA—and had high levels of low-glycemic index (low GI) foods, were less likely to develop early and advanced AMD.

Although the researchers say clinical studies are needed before physicians can begin recommending specific nutrient doses or dietary patterns to AMD patients, there’s no need for people to delay adding healthy food to their shopping carts. Sources of AMD-protective nutrients include citrus fruits, vegetable oils, nuts, whole grains, dark green leafy vegetables and cold water fish. The GI value is based on how fast a food’s carbohydrates raise the body’s blood sugar levels; low GI foods have less impact on blood sugar fluctuations.

AMD affects the retina, light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. Advanced AMD can destroy the central, detailed vision that we need to read, drive, and enjoy daily life. Although the “wet” form of advanced AMD is often treatable, there’s no effective treatment for the much more common “dry” form. Eating well is a practical way to reduce AMD risk while enjoying better health. To learn more about AMD, visit http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/amd.cfm

This article reprinted with permission from the American Academy of Ophthalmology's EyeSmart™ campaign (www.geteyesmart.org).

Newsletter: Are You at Risk for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of severe vision loss among Americans ages 65 and over. Knowing your risk factors, being aware of your family history and keeping regular appointments with your Eye M.D. can help reduce your risks for vision loss from macular degeneration. In its most severe form, known as wet AMD, the disease can lead to permanent loss of central vision, which is essential for driving, reading and recognizing faces.

Here are the top five risk factors for AMD:
Being over the age of 60
Having a family history of AMD
Cigarette smoking
Obesity
Hypertension

If you have any two of these risk factors, you should schedule an appointment with your Eye M.D for a complete evaluation. Your Eye M.D. may recommend certain preventive measures that can reduce your risk of vision loss from this disorder.

People who are at risk should know the symptoms of wet AMD, the form most likely to cause rapid and serious vision loss. These include sudden, noticeable loss or distortion of vision, such as seeing “wavy” lines. See an Eye M.D. right away if these symptoms occur. Current treatments for wet AMD provide an excellent chance of stopping vision loss and may actually restore some vision when macular degeneration develops. Earlier diagnosis of wet AMD gives a better chance of successful treatment. For more information about AMD, visit geteyesmart.org.

What does it mean when you are nearsighted or farsighted? Most people have heard the terms, and may be familiar with their general meaning, but what do they really mean? Let’s start by using an analogy. Have you ever focused light through an ordinary magnifying glass? When you hold it at just the right angle and at just the right distance from something, you will see a very distinct concentrated point of focused light. Now, think of the eye as a ball with a magnifying glass sitting at the front of it. If it so happens that the magnifying glass is just the right strength, the light coming into the ball will focus in a nice concentrated point on the back of the ball- this would produce excellent vision in a real human eye. The possibility exists that the magnifying lens on the ball may not focus light on the back of the eye where we want it. Sometimes it may focus in front of or behind the back of the eye; this would produce nearsightedness or farsightedness.

    Nearsightedness is the condition where the magnifying lens at the front of the ball is too powerful, thus the focused light comes in the middle of the eye, not on the back. This person does not see well at a distance, but can generally see near items very well. The only remedy to nearsightedness is to move closer to the item of interest. Farsightedness is a little different, using our same analogy: the light focused by the lens falls behind the back of the eye, or the magnifying lens is too weak. In general, this person has more difficulty seeing things up close, so theymust move things farther away from them to see it better. Farsightedness becomes more of a problem as we get older, so people find that they need glasses when they never have had to before.

    This is a very simple explanation of the problem, but the bottom line is that whatever the vision issue, there are great remedies including glasses, contact lenses, and surgery. A good comprehensive eye exam can help us understand your unique visual situation, and then we can suggest with your assistance, the most appropriate solution for your vision needs.

Contact Salt Lake Eye Associates today; We care about you and your eye health. 801-281-2020