The macula sits in the central part of the retina, the back inner lining of the eye. This area of tissue controls the central vision you use for tasks such as reading and recognizing faces. Macular degeneration occurs as a result of damage to the macula, often leading to permanent vision changes. To protect your eyes from the danger of macular degeneration, understand your risks and how nutrition may offer an important method of prevention.
Types
You can have two different types of macular degeneration. The first type, called dry macular degeneration, results when the cells of the retina break down. In the earliest stages, you may not have symptoms, but your eye doctor may notice drusen, deposits that appear under the retina, and these deposits often provide a warning sign of macular damage, explains the National Eye Institute. Over time, dry macular degeneration will result in blurry central vision.
Wet macular degeneration results when abnormal blood vessels grow under your macula, and then fragile vessels break and start to bleed. This lifts the macula out of position, affecting vision. Your vision will change suddenly with the wet form of macular degeneration. For example, you may notice that straight lines appear curved or bent.
Risk Factors
Age is one of the biggest risk factors for macular degeneration. Women and Caucasians also have a greater risk for this condition, and if you have a family history, this may also increase your level of risk, according to the National Eye Institute. As well, you may have risk factors you can make an effort to reduce. Obesity and smoking may play a role, so you should maintain a healthy weight and stop smoking to help protect your vision.
Nutrition
A diet rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids may help protect your eyes from macular degeneration, explains All About Vision. Eat plenty of leafy, dark green vegetables, such as kale, spinach, chard and collard greens. Corn, broccoli, carrots and squash also offer lutein, an important factor in prevention. All aspects of a healthful diet will aid in preventing degenerative eye conditions. Select healthy fats, such as the omega-3 fatty acids found in flaxseed, walnuts and fish. Choose whole grains over refined grains, and eat lean proteins.
Supplements
If you have a diagnosis of macular degeneration, supplement your dietary intake with eye vitamins designed to help slow down or prevent further damage from macular degeneration. Supplements that contain the studied formulation of vitamins and minerals will have a label stating it is an AREDS formulation. This stands for Age-Related Eye Disease Study. This study determined that people who take 500 mg of vitamin C, 15 mg of beta carotene, 80 mg of zinc, 2 mg of copper and 400 international units, or IUs, of vitamin E tend to have a reduced risk for macular degeneration, explains the National Eye Institute.
Considerations
Before you make significant changes to your diet or supplement regimen, discuss your health, medications and current supplements with your health provider. Certain medications and health conditions may not work well with the recommended diet and supplement changes to prevent macular degeneration. For example, vitamin K found in dark green, leafy vegetables may increase the effects of blood thinning medications. Your health care provider may offer alternatives or other recommendations for prevention.
