HEALTH ENCYCLOPEDIA

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Macular Degeneration

Treatment

Those with dry AMD should have a complete dilated eye examination at least once a year and use an Amsler grid daily to check for signs of wet AMD.

Diet

Dietary factors that can speed the progression from early-stage to advanced MD include:

high fat consumption (70 gm versus 24 gm daily) triples the risk of advancement
trans-fats consumption (4 gm versus 0.5 gm daily) doubles the risk
consumption of commercial baked goods (two or more servings weekly) doubles the risk
obesity doubles the risk of advancement

Foods containing omega-3 fats, such as nuts and fish, lower the risk of progression to advanced MD.

One study found that those with the highest dietary intake of lutein had a 57% lower risk for AMD. Foods high in lutein and zeaxanthin include:

kale
spinach
mustard greens
collard greens
romaine lettuce
leeks
celery
broccoli (cooked)
peas
corn
zucchini
yellow squash
cucumbers
orange bell peppers
red grapes
mangoes
oranges

Many multi-vitamins also contain lutein.

Other factors for preventing AMD include:

the use of sunglasses with UV protection
maintaining normal blood pressure
avoiding the risk factors, including smoking and secondhand smoke
the use of supplemental estrogen by postmenopausal women is associated with a lower risk for AMD

BOOKS

Age-Related Macular Degeneration. San Francisco: American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2003.

Glaser, Bert, and Lester A. Picker. The Macular Degeneration Sourcebook: A Guide for Patients and Families. Omaha, NE: Addicus Books, 2002.

Gragoudas, Evangelos S., et al. Photodynamic Therapy of Ocular Diseases. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2004.

Holz, F. G., et al. Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Berlin: Springer, 2004.

Kondrot, Edward. Healing the Eye the Natural Way: Alternative Medicine and Macular Degeneration. 2nd ed. Carson City, NV: Nutritional Research Press, 2001.

Lim, Jennifer I., editor. Age-Related Macular Degeneration. New York: Marcel Dekker, 2002.

Loseliani, O. R., editor. Focus on Macular Degeneration Research. Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science, 2004.

Price, Ira Marc, and Linda Comac. Living Well with Macular Degeneration: Practical Tips and Essential Information. New York: New American Library, 2001.

Rosenthal, Bruce P., and Kate Kelly. Focus on Macular Degeneration Research. Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science, 2004.

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Content
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Author Info: Margaret Alic Ph.D., The Gale Group Inc., Gale, Detroit, Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine, 2005

This feature is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the care and information received from your healthcare provider. Please consult a healthcare professional with any health concerns you may have.

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