If you are in your 30’s or 40’s you most likely aren’t thinking about age related eye diseases or preventing them. However macular degeneration does typically run in the family so if you have a parent that has this then you should be taking steps to hopefully prevent it from happening to you. Since there is no cure for macular degeneration, taking steps to prevent it is key.
A person that is diagnosed with macular degeneration may have difficultly reading, driving or recognizing familiar faces over time since this eye disease affects a persons central vision.
PREVENTING MACULAR DEGENERATION
- Don’t smoke.
- Eat plenty of dark, leafy green vegetables, such as raw spinach and kale
- Take a balanced multivitamin
- Eat plenty of fish or take a fish oil supplement.
- Exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy weight.
- Eat fruit and nuts daily.
- Limit your intake of refined carbohydrates (high-glycemic index foods).
- Keep your blood pressure & cholesterol under control.
- Wear sunglasses outdoors to block UV and blue light that may cause eye damage.
- Have annual comprehensive eye examinations with Dr. Steve.
If you have been diagnosed with this disease various eye supplements such as Ocuvite can be taken orally to prevent the progression of this disease and to slow it down. This would be like a multivitamin that you can find at your local GNC or nutritional health food store.
To learn more about how to prevent this eye disease please click here.