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Concerned About Macular Degeneration? – Here Are 6 Tips to Lower your Risk

Senior with macular degeneration.jpg

What Is Macular Degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a deterioration of the macula, the key part of the retina responsible for highly detailed vision and central vision. There are two main types of macular degeneration: dry and wet.

Dry AMD occurs when small deposits in the macula called drusen gradually damage the light-sensitive retinal nerve cells, leading to vision loss.

In wet AMD, fragile new blood vessels grow under the macula. When these blood vessels leak blood or fluid, it damages the macula. Although both types of macular degeneration can result in vision loss, wet AMD is the more serious form of the disease as it results in faster and greater vision loss.

Who Is At High Risk for Macular Degeneration?

  • age 50+
  • a diet high in saturated fat
  • Smoking
  • High blood pressure
  • Obesity
  • Family history of AMD
  • Cardiovascular disease

6 Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Macular Degeneration

The following have been shown to lower the risk of developing AMD:

Stop smoking

If you don’t smoke, don’t start, and if you smoke—quit. Smokers are 4 times more at risk of developing AMD and typically develop the disease around 10 years earlier than non-smokers.

Wear Quality Sunglasses

UV rays from sunlight can put your eyes at risk. So make sure you choose high-quality 100% UVA & UBV filtering sunglasses to block the sun’s harmful UV rays. Consider getting polarized lenses, as they filter out reflected light rays more efficiently. That’s especially important if you spend time on the water, at the beach, in the snow or driving.

Check Your Blood Pressure

High blood pressure not only harms your heart, but restricts oxygenated blood from reaching your eyes. Have your blood pressure checked regularly. If you already have hypertension, consider using an at-home monitor to keep tabs on it.

Eat Healthy and Consider Supplements

Cut out saturated fat, which can raise your blood pressure. Eat fewer animal fats and replace butter with olive oil. Look for plant-based, high-protein alternatives to meat, and eat oily fish like sardines, mackerel and salmon.

Dark, leafy greens are terrific for your eyes. Kale and other greens are full of lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that promote eye health. If you have dry AMD, ask your optometrist about antioxidant supplements that can slow AMD’s progression.

Know Your Family History

Up to 70% of AMD cases have a genetic component. People with a parent or sibling with AMD have a greater risk of developing this serious sight-threatening eye disease. If you have a family history of this disease, get your eyes frequent eye tested for AMD.

Get Your Eyes Checked Regularly

Everyone should have regular comprehensive eye exams, especially if you’re over 50, have a family history of AMD, hypertension or other risk factors.

An eye exam that screens for AMD typically includes:

  • Visual Acuity – tests your ability to read and see an eye chart from various distances
  • Pupil Dilation – the optometrist applies eye drops to dilate the pupil so they can examine the inside of your eyes
  • Digital Retina Image and/or OCT – full color 3D imaging of the macula to detect leakage from the vessels and measure retinal thickness. This can help the eye doctor diagnose wet AMD, even in the early phases.
  • Amsler Grid – The optometrist asks the patient how straight lines on a checkerboard grid appear. The answer “wavy” or “missing” could indicate the presence dry or wet AMD.

Your vision is your gateway to the world. Good vision lets you live an active and independent life, even in your advanced years. Regardless of your age, get your eyes checked regularly, and all the more frequently if you have a family history of AMD or other risk factors.

To schedule your eye exam with Dr. Naftali, contact Madison Eyes in Madison today.

FAQ

What percentage of the population has macular degeneration?

An estimated 8.7% of the global population has macular degeneration. This number is expected to increase from the current 196 million people affected to 288 million by 2040.

Do injections work for wet macular degeneration?

When AMD has progressed to the “wet” phase, anti-VEGF injections can preserve remaining vision by reducing fluid leakage and bleeding from the macular blood vessels.

Welcome Farewell

We’re excited to welcome two wonderful new doctors to Madison Eyes this July! 

Dr. Jennifer Lee, OD, will be joining us on July 1st. With over 7 years of optometric experience and more than 20 years in the optical field, Dr. Lee brings a wealth of knowledge—especially in complex prescriptions, eye disease management, and specialty contact lenses. She earned her Doctor of Optometry from the Inter American University of Puerto Rico and her bachelor’s in psychology from Cal State Fullerton. Fluent in English, Korean, and Spanish, Dr. Lee has primarily practiced in Florida since 2018 and is known for her warm, empathetic approach that patients truly appreciate. 

Joining us on July 8th is Dr. Jiyong Jennifer Kwon, OD, who brings over 20 years of experience as an Optometric Physician. Dr. Kwon specializes in treating eye disease and fitting patients with advanced contact lenses, including orthokeratology. A longtime New Jersey resident, she lives here with her husband and two children. Dr. Kwon is a graduate of UC Berkeley with a BS in Nutrition and Food Science and earned her Doctor of Optometry from SUNY. Her professional background includes time at the renowned Wills Eye Hospital, and you’ll find her both highly skilled and very personable. 

I personally selected both Dr. Lee and Dr. Kwon to join our team, and I’m confident you’ll enjoy their friendly personalities as much as their professional expertise. Please join me in warmly welcoming Drs. Lee and Kwon to Madison Eyes! 

At the same time, we are saying our heartfelt goodbye to James Lacotte, OD.   Dr. Lacotte has decided to leave Madison Eyes after many years of practice with us.  Dr. Lacotte leaves with well-deserved excellent professional reputation and our appreciation for his efforts in making Madison Eyes a high quality eyecare and vision center.  We wish Dr. Lacotte well in his future endeavors. 

Thank you for your support, 

Paul Naftali, O.D, 

President - Madison Eyes