{"id":20502,"date":"2022-01-23T17:44:37","date_gmt":"2022-01-23T17:44:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/?page_id=20502"},"modified":"2022-01-23T17:44:37","modified_gmt":"2022-01-23T17:44:37","slug":"supplements-for-macular-health-top-6-faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-conditions\/macular-degeneration-guide\/supplements-for-macular-health-top-6-faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"Supplements for Macular Health: Top 6 FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Consuming a healthy diet with specific nutritional supplements may reduce your risk of macular degeneration.<\/b><\/h2>\n

Macular degeneration<\/a> can be a devastating eye condition, resulting in significant vision loss and even blindness if not diagnosed and treated in time.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Although macular degeneration is primarily caused by our genetics and DNA, there is some evidence that maintaining good health and nutrition may play a role in preventing the development or progression of the disease.<\/p>\n

Here are our top 6 FAQs about nutrition and macular health:<\/em><\/p>\n

Q1: What is macular degeneration?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Macular degeneration is a common eye condition affecting the light sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye, known as the retina<\/a>. This tissue layer is responsible for translating visual information into electrical signals to be sent to the brain for interpretation.<\/p>\n

Macular degeneration affects the macula, the area in the middle of the retina that is responsible for our clear, sharp and detailed central vision<\/b>.<\/p>\n

If not detected and treated early, this condition can result in significant vision loss, including total blindness.<\/p>\n

There are two types of macular degeneration:<\/p>\n

1.<\/strong> Dry macular degeneration<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Also known as atrophic macular degeneration, this is the most common type. As many as 90% of all cases of macular degeneration fall under this category.<\/p>\n

Dry macular degeneration results from a thinning or breaking down of the macula, usually as a result of the build-up of tiny yellow deposits of cellular waste material, called drusen<\/a>, under the retina.<\/p>\n

This build-up of drusen eventually impacts the functioning of the macula leaving a blurry or blind spot in the center of a person\u2019s vision, making everyday activities such as driving and recognizing faces difficult or impossible.<\/p>\n

2. Wet macular degeneration<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

This is a rarer, but much more serious form of the disease, which can become sight-threatening very quickly<\/b>.<\/p>\n

Also known as neovascular macular degeneration, the wet form results from the development of new blood vessels under the macula.<\/p>\n

These new blood vessels are thin and fragile, and eventually begin to leak blood and other fluids onto the retina and macula. As these fluids build-up, the macula swells, resulting in loss of vision, and eventually complete blindness if not treated promptly.<\/p>\n

Q2: How do supplements help with macular degeneration?<\/b><\/h2>\n

A highly regarded research (AREDS)<\/a> showed that specific supplements help to prevent dry macular degeneration from transitioning to the wet form, and help prevent vision loss in the second eye after the first has already lost sight due to macular degeneration<\/p>\n

Antioxidants such as vitamins A, C and E, help to fight oxidants and free radicals that are the central drivers in the development and progression of macular degeneration.<\/b><\/p>\n

Zeaxanthin and lutein are nutrients, known as carotenoids, found in certain fruits and vegetables, especially yellow, orange or green leafy ones, that are also found in high concentration in the macula.<\/p>\n

Carotenoids serve as a kind of \u2018sunscreen\u2019 for the macula, shielding it from the detrimental effects of ultraviolet radiation from the sun<\/b>.<\/p>\n

SEE RELATED: <\/strong>Protecting Yourself From Macular Degeneration<\/a><\/p>\n

Speak to an eye doctor<\/a> if you have macular degeneration, you may benefit from taking supplements for your eye health.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\t

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