Sunday 30 April 2017

The Information On Macular Supplements

By Ryan Watson


Age-related macular degeneration (MD), also referred to as AMD, is a form of vision loss and affects the macula part of the eye or eyes. It is the leading cause of blindness and severe vision loss in most western countries. Usually affecting people aged 65 or above, this is a more serious eye condition than some other complaints and eye conditions. But with macular supplements, the patients have somewhere to get help.

Most of our retina (the light-sensitive tissue inside the eye) has light-sensing cells called "rods". They are very sensitive at light detection but not very sensitive to details. The macular is the 3/16" area of the central retina with light-sensing cells called "cones". They are very sensitive to visual detail and color perception. This region supplies the straight-ahead vision. In macular degeneration (MD), the macular cells are damaged and central straight-ahead vision becomes blurred or distorted.

Ten percent of these patients progress to "Wet ARMD" in which new blood vessels grow in below the macular and then leak blood into this region. The resulting scarring leaves areas of the macular that are blind. Many of these patients are legally blind.

Although anyone can have it, ARMD occurs most often in Caucasian females over age 65. Smoking increases the risk 6 times and living with a smoker doubles your risk. Being overweight also can double your risk. Another big risk factor is the excessive light exposure that surfers, sailors, farm workers, etc are exposed to.

Preventive measures such as eye supplements like lutein and vitamin K are recommended by medical experts for better eye health. Are you at a healthy weight? Is your blood pressure at a consistent, normal level? If you have high blood pressure or are obese, the risk of developing this disease rises. Try to exercise three times per week and cut down on fatty foods. If you smoke, quit.

A person's skin, hair, and eyes contain melanin, which offers protection against harmful rays. While many researchers have gathered data on the topic, no concrete conclusions have linked exposure to the sun with this eye condition. However, it is a proven fact that melanin decreases with age, putting people at higher risk of ultraviolet light damage. Wear UV sunglasses as you age to make up for your body's decreased melanin and keep your eyes protected.

When looking at the Amsler grid each eye should be able to see all four corners and all four lines which make up the sides. If these cannot be seen properly then these are also symptoms of MD. At this point, it is time to make an appointment with an eye doctor for a complete eye examination.

Vision aids can help train your sight, especially in the areas of peripheral vision. Surgery is an option too as are injections. Laser surgery is reported to be very effective, quick, easy and free of pain. Laser eye treatment is one solution for eye conditions, as are all the other options listed.

Lifestyle choices also play a part, and smoking is way up there as a well-known cause of all types of MD. Obesity can be another contributing factor. If you have been exposed to lots of sunlight, through your career or perhaps you live nearer the equator then this puts you in a higher risk category also.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment