Age-related macular degeneration is a debilitating eye condition. It is especially rife among adults over 60, making it the leading cause of vision loss. However, it can begin in adolescence or childhood in some exceptional circumstances. Also called AMD, this condition has no known cure. 

 

You can get control of its symptoms using different treatment methods. While your peripheral vision may remain intact, untreated AMD may cause central vision loss. This might be in the form of fuzziness, blurriness, or dark vision.

 

Stages of Age-related Macular Degeneration

Experts classify AMD stages into early, intermediate, or late. During the first two stages, you are unlikely to exhibit many symptoms. Going for regular comprehensive eye exams can help uncover early signs of macular degeneration. 

 

This early detection helps in slowing its progress and better management. There is no solution for reversing or stopping age-related macular degeneration. Still, there are options to slow it down.

 

Taking Supplements

Mineral and vitamin supplements are useful in treating age-related macular degeneration. Some brands offering these supplements may claim their product can reverse AMD. However, you can only slow down the condition, not reverse it. 

 

Patients with advanced AMD experienced significant slowing down of the condition after taking AREDS2. This dietary supplement did not prevent AMD from occurring. Neither did it slow down its progression for patients with early AMD. AREDS2 contains supplements such as zinc, lutein, and copper. It also comprises vitamin C, E, and zeaxanthin.

 

Other Dietary Treatments

You can also slow down AMD’s progression by:

 

• Increasing your high-fiber fruit intake
   

• Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish
   

• Avoiding beta carotene
   

• Reducing your sugar intake
   

• Increasing your vegetable intake. This is especially true for leafy greens
  
   

Exercising Regularly

Exercising is integral to managing the progression of AMD. People with high cholesterol, obesity, or high blood pressure have a higher risk of developing AMD. For this reason, you should maintain optimal blood pressure, cholesterol level, and weight. 

 

Regular exercise helps in slowing down the progress of age-related macular degeneration and its risks.

 

Quit Smoking

According to experts in the field, cigarette smoking accelerates the loss of vision. It also increases your risk of developing serious eye conditions like AMD. If your eye doctor diagnoses you with macular degeneration, you should quit smoking. Smoking only accelerates the condition. 

 

Also, smoking will increase your risk of contracting age-related macular degeneration. This is regardless of whether you have it or not. Quitting smoking minimizes your risk of the condition and its progression.

 

Regenerative Medicine

Though still in its early stages, a report by the National Eye Institute shows promising results for reversing vision loss due to AMD. The new research shows that injecting stem cells into the eye can soon reverse or slow the symptoms of early-stage AMD. 

Anti-angiogenic drugs also prevent the formation of new blood vessels and their leakage. This treatment has been able to restore vision to some AMD patients. Further research is ongoing, but a cure for this condition is still elusive.

Other Treatments

Other methods to manage AMD include:

 

• Using low vision devices like yellow-tinted glasses
   

• Getting implanted telescopes
   

• Removal of cataracts
   

• Laser therapy

For more on age-related macular degeneration, contact Clarity Vision in Holly Springs, North Carolina at (919) 646-2900 today to schedule an appointment.