Age-related macular degeneration is an incurable eye condition that threatens your vision and overall well-being. Characterized by the deterioration of the retina's central area, which helps process harp, clear, straight-ahead vision, the disease slowly decreases your central vision. This decline affects the ability to see faces, drive, read, use mobile devices, and see fine details.
AMD is the main cause of vision loss in older people, and the numbers are presumed to rise as Americans live longer.
It is almost impossible to know who gets AMD and who doesn't, but you can protect yourself before it even develops.
Here are 5 tips to help you prevent AMD!
Maintain Healthy Weight and Blood Pressure
You might wonder how maintaining a healthy weight and blood pressure could increase your chances of getting AMD.
Obesity overworks the heart and could lead to high blood pressure. When this happens, the blood vessels to the eye are put under unnecessary strain.
The eyes are made up of many blood vessels which can be affected if your blood pressure is high.
It is especially crucial to watch your weight and blood pressure if your family history shows a predisposition to AMD.
Eat Food Rich in Antioxidants
A few years ago, researchers in the Netherlands carried out a study that monitored the dietary intake of test subjects aged 55 and above for 8 years.
Upon analyzing their observations, they discovered that an above-average consumption of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Beta carotene, and Zinc reduced the risk for AMD by 35%.
Hence, eat foods rich in antioxidants as they reduce inflammation caused by free radicals. Eat foods like broccoli, kale, fish, and fresh fruits.
Stop Smoking
This is something everyone should make a point to stop doing regardless of their specific health goals. For this conversation, it would drastically help you reduce the risk of getting AMD if you made this lifestyle change.
People who smoke are 2 to 5 times more at risk for AMD. The AMD risk levels for smokers are so high that people are advised to avoid second-hand smoking. What does this mean? It means that you must stop smoking and avoid living with someone who does.
Protect Your Eyes from UV and Blue Light
If you still consider sunglasses to be an accessory, this tip is specifically for you! Studies have shown that long-term exposure to UV rays and blue light from the sun and phone screens puts people at more risk for AMD.
In order to protect yourself outdoors, purchase sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB. Wrap-around sunglasses will help block light coming from any angle. A hat is also helpful in this regard!
Purchase Good Lighting
The importance of using good lighting cannot be overemphasized. Your home and work area should have healthy bright lights, so your eyes aren’t strained trying to make things out.
Putting unnecessary strain on your eye makes you more vulnerable to AMD than ever. Change the lamps in your home to bright lights that block out harmful blue light rays.
AMD might not have a medical cure. However, you can reduce the risks with the tips above. Maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy, quitting smoking, exercising, and protect your eyes by using sunglasses outdoors and good lighting indoors.
You can knock one of these steps off your list right now by purchasing medical-grade lamps that are doctor-approved to reduce your risk of AMD right in our store.
