Once someone has been diagnosed with age related macular degeneration (AMD) or any disease for that matter, the mind starts asking questions like, how did I get this condition, what caused it or perhaps, could I have done something to prevent it?
There are many different factors that contribute to a person developing macular degeneration – some that can be controlled and some that cannot.
Here are the most common causes and risk factors:
1. Age
Macular degeneration is the number one cause of vision loss in the senior population. The older a person gets, the higher their risk of developing AMD. According to the National Eye Institute, ”a large study found that people in middle-age have about a 2 percent risk of getting AMD, but this risk increased to nearly 30 percent in those over age 75.”
2. Gender
Women are more likely to develop age related macular degeneration than men.
3. Race
It occurs in all races but it is more common in Caucasians.
4. Iris Color
The research shows that there is less pigment in blue eyes, and green eyes for that matter, than there is in brown eyes, so more light is able to penetrate blue eyes. This makes lighter eyes more sensitive to light and is what makes people with blue eyes more likely to have age-related macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is caused when the light sensitive cells in the eyes start to die, which can eventually result in blindness.
5. Heredity
My husband’s father has wet macular degeneration as well as did many of my husband’s aunts and uncles. The lifetime risk of developing late-stage macular degeneration is 50% for people who have a relative with macular degeneration versus 12% for people who’s relatives do not have macular degeneration (4x the risk).
6. Smoking
Smoking is the single most controllable risk factor that contributes to the development of macular degeneration. Every cigarette that is smoked causes damage to one’s vision. Smoking causes vasoconstriction or narrowing of the blood vessels which reduces the blood supply to the eyes. Smoking also creates free radicals which causes cellular damage while decreasing ones levels of antioxidants.
7. Diet Low in Dark Leafy Greens
A Harvard study done by Dr. Johanna Seddon in 1994 concluded that those who ate at least 5 servings of dark leafy greens per week had a 43% lower risk of developing AMD than those who ate small amounts or none at all. These lutein rich greens include kale, collard greens, spinach, Swiss chard, parsley, mustard greens, romaine lettuce and beet greens.
8. Diet Low in Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Thanks again to Dr. Seddon and her researchers at Harvard University, they discovered that people with diets of a 3:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids have less macular degeneration. Almost all of our processed foods and vegetable oils contain omega-6 which means that the average American gets way to much omega-6. Because omega 6 competes with omega 3, if we have too much omega-6 then the omega-3 we do take isn’t utilized properly.
9. High Blood Pressure
Dr. Michael A. Samuel the author of Macular Degeneration: A Complete Guide for Patients and Their Families writes “If you have high blood pressure that is fairly well controlled, you have double the risk of wet AMD compared to someone who does not have hypertension at all. If you have uncontrolled high blood pressure that goes above 160/90 you are three times more likely to develop wet AMD.” (Ophthalmology 2003;110: 636-643).
10. Exercise
Those with an active lifestyle were 70% less likely to develop macular degeneration than those who did little or no exercise according to researchers from the University of Wisconsin. The Wisconsin study that began in 1988, tracked almost 4,000 men and women (between the ages of 43-86) over a 15 year period by conducting regular eye tests and recording levels of exercise.
After accounting for other risk factors such as age, sex, history of arthritis, systolic blood pressure, body mass index, smoking, and education, those with a baseline active lifestyle of walking three times or more a week, were 70% less likely to develop macular degeneration than those who did little exercise.
For more specific tips on what you can do to prevent macular degeneration go to:
Macular Degeneration Prevention
FAQs
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease that affects a person's central vision. AMD can result in severe loss of central vision, but people rarely go blind from it. Risk factors for AMD include being 50 and older, smoking, having high blood pressure and eating a diet high in saturated fat.
What is the number one cause of macular degeneration? ›
Research indicates that it may be a combination of family genes and environmental factors, including smoking, obesity and diet. The condition develops as the eye ages. Dry macular degeneration affects the macula. The macula is the area of the retina that's responsible for clear vision in the direct line of sight.
How do you manage low vision of macular degeneration? ›
Low-vision glasses and devices can help you manage the condition by enhancing your remaining vision using magnification, filters, and prisms. Telescope and microscope glasses enlarge objects so they can be seen. Prisms sometimes move light away from the macula and onto the peripheral retina.
What is the best drink for macular degeneration? ›
Drinking orange juice can reduce the risk of macular degeneration by up to 60% This is due to the flavonoids oranges possess that offer anti-inflammatory and immune system benefits. Carrot Juice is a great source of beta-carotene that is a vitamin which is one of the most powerful antioxidants!
How do you stop macular degeneration from progressing? ›
Eating healthy, getting regular exercise, and quitting smoking can also help. If you have intermediate AMD in 1 or both eyes, special dietary supplements (vitamins and minerals) may be able to stop it from turning into late AMD. If you have late AMD in only 1 eye, these supplements may slow down AMD in your other eye.
Is coffee bad for macular degeneration? ›
Retinal disease: Caffeine/coffee may help slow progression
One study, published in 2022 in Frontiers in Pharmacology, found that caffeine could potentially suppress the inflammatory response that causes retinal damage from age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
What foods should you avoid with macular degeneration? ›
What foods should be avoided with macular degeneration?
- Fried foods.
- Processed meats.
- Processed foods that contain trans fats, like chips and cookies.
- Sugary drinks and sweets.
- High-fat dairy foods.
- Soda and alcohol.
- Refined carbohydrates, including pasta, white bread, and white rice.
Macular degeneration is an eye disease that causes a loss of central vision. Specialized glasses may help people with macular degeneration maximize their vision and help them carry out everyday tasks.
What deficiency causes macular degeneration? ›
Vitamin D deficiencies have been repeatedly associated with various acute and chronic diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Can you halt macular degeneration? ›
Dry AMD – there's no treatment, but vision aids can help reduce the effect on your life. Read about living with AMD. Wet AMD – you may need regular eye injections and, very occasionally, a light treatment called photodynamic therapy, to stop your vision getting worse.
Strawberries, cranberries, blackberries and blueberries are great superfoods for healthy functioning eyes. Berries are packed with nutritious vitamins and minerals and are of particular benefit in maintaining eye health.
Can vitamin D reverse macular degeneration? ›
There is no cure for macular degeneration. But making sure your diet contains adequate amounts of vital nutrients like vitamin D can help support your health in many ways, including protecting your vision. You can consult a healthcare professional about testing your vitamin D level and supplementation.
Is peanut butter good for macular degeneration? ›
A large study found that vitamin E, together with other nutrients, can help slow age-related macular degeneration (AMD) from getting worse. It may also help prevent cataracts. Hazelnuts, peanuts (technically legumes), and peanut butter are also good sources of vitamin E.
What percentage of macular degeneration go blind? ›
The dry form of macular degeneration, in which the light-sensitive cells of the macula slowly break down, is the most common type, accounting for 90% of diagnosed cases. Wet macular degeneration accounts for approximately 10% of cases, but results in 90% of legal blindness.
What is the red flag for macular degeneration? ›
For example, early signs and symptoms of macular degeneration include blurry vision, trouble seeing in dim lights, and faded-looking colors. Your eye doctor isn't the only one responsible for your eye health. It's important that you know about the early signs of eye diseases.
What aggravates macular degeneration? ›
Risk factors for AMD include being 50 and older, smoking, having high blood pressure and eating a diet high in saturated fat. Although there is no cure for AMD, there are treatment options that may prevent or slow the progression of the disease.
What's the best vitamin for macular degeneration? ›
Vitamins A, C, and E are the most effective vitamins for reducing the risk of macular degeneration [13]. However, only vitamin A plays an essential role in the human retinal pigment epithelial cells, whereas vitamins C and E are known to act as antioxidants.
What worsens macular degeneration? ›
Risk factors for AMD include being 50 and older, smoking, having high blood pressure and eating a diet high in saturated fat. Although there is no cure for AMD, there are treatment options that may prevent or slow the progression of the disease.
