02 October 2012
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of low vision and blindness in people over 50. It affects 25-30 million individuals in the Western world alone, yet very few are aware that AMD may be prevented by following a few very important suggestions.
According to The Macular Disease Foundation, in Australia, AMD affects one in seven people over the age of fifty and that number is increasing every year as the population ages.
AMD occurs in a specialized portion of the retina called the macula. Abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the macula where they leak. This causes damage to cells that are responsible for our sharp central vision.
Researchers including Emily Chew, M.D., and Frederick Ferris, Jr., M.D., of the National Eye Institute (NEI) of the National Institutes of Health in the U.S. are turning their attention from AMD treatment to AMD prevention. This is exciting news. But, we already know some steps to take.
"Everyone over 40 should have a dilated eye exam and follow the eye doctor's recommendation for regular eye exams, even if their vision seems perfect," said Narinder Sharma, President and CEO of AMD Alliance International (AMDAI). "Education and early detection are key to preventing AMD or slowing its advance."
In addition to regular eye exams, people can help prevent AMD through diet and lifestyle:
Pay attention to diet:
Eat dark green, leafy vegetables and fish. NEI researchers found that people who eat food rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, two anti-oxidants from the same family as beta carotene, are at lower risk for AMD. These foods include kale, mustard greens, collard greens, raw or cooked spinach, among others.
When it comes to fish, they found that people whose diets contain a lot of omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA found in fish, especially salmon) are also at less risk for advanced AMD. As little as one serving of fish per week may be helpful. Nuts, olive oil, and fruits are important, too. They also contain vitamins and minerals that play a role in AMD prevention.
Don't smoke.
In addition to the role of diet, research has shown that AMD is two to three times more likely among tobacco smokers, and that the risk is dose dependent. In other words, the more a person smokes, the greater the risk and the faster the progression of the disease. Controlling weight and cholesterol are also important.
Test vision daily using the Amsler grid.
The Amsler grid resembles graph paper except for a dot in its center. It helps detect AMD or AMD progression. The user is instructed to hang the grid on the front of the refrigerator or in a similarly convenient location; to cover one eye; to look at the central dot with the uncovered eye; and notice whether any lines appear wavy or broken. If so, or if the lines look worse than before, it is important to see an eye doctor.
During International AMD Week, September 22-30, 2012, AMD Alliance International are launching a series of global initiatives and communications strategies to increase awareness of AMD prevention, including:
- A meeting of worldwide allies of AMDAI that was held in Rome on September 10, 2012, to share strategies and best practices for spreading the word about AMD prevention.
- AMDAI is soliciting stories from thousands of people who have AMD. Using their own smartphones as a video camera, they will be asked to describe the impact of AMD on their life. This will become the germ of a repository for stories that can be accessed by other patients and by families, friends, and perhaps even social scientists who want to understand quality of life in AMD patients.
"We want people to understand that they can have a role in preventing AMD. This means make a commitment to regular dilated eye exams; use the Amsler grid for self-examination; don't smoke and quit if you do; control cholesterol and weight; and make sure your diet is rich in the recommended foods," says Sharma. "These behaviors can save the vision of millions of people. That is what makes the 2012 International AMD Week campaign so critical."
About AMD Alliance International
AMD Alliance International (AMDAI) is the only international organization in the world dedicated exclusively to promoting awareness, treatment, and research into macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss in the developed world. With more than 70 organizational allies in 25 countries, AMDAI is a membership organization comprised of world leaders in ophthalmology, vision, rehabilitation, research, and patient and senior's advocacy. For more information, visit www.amdalliance.org.