Macular Degeneration -What You Can Do
Macular DegenerationMacular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in
the age 65 and over group in both the United States and
the United Kingdom. One in six Americans between the ages of
55 and 64 will be affected which increases to one in four
between the ages of 64 and 74. Over the age of 75 one in
three will be affected. Each year 1.2 million people of the
estimated 12 million people with macular degeneration will
have severe loss of central vision.
What is macular degeneration
The macular portion of the retina is where central vision
occurs. This is the vision that allows us basically to
see. This portion of the retina is mostly populated
with cone cells, which are the cells that allow us to
read, write and generally see things when there is sufficient
light. The rod cells populate the rest of the retina
and are what we see with in darkness. The cone portion
of the retina has one of the highest metabolic rates of any
group of cells in the body and like the brain, needs a
constant supply of nutrients to maintain good vision.
Anything that compromises blood flow to these cells can
cause loss of function of these cells ie macular degeneration.
Symptoms
Because the brain is very good at filling in the visual
picture, the early loss of function of the macular cone cells
may go unnoticed. This means that in the early stages most
people with macular degeneration don't know they have it.
By the time it is usually diagnosed, it can be very advanced
with considerable loss of visual acuity / central vision.
Testing
If you are concerned about macular degeneration a visit to
your local ophthalmologist might be in order. Also, by visiting
the site below you can test yourself with the Amsler grid.
This is a test used to determine if there is any significant
compromise in central vision. To do this follow the link
below:
Amsler Grid Test
Risk factors
Macular degeneration is age related as noted above and the
older you are, the more at risk you are. Race also factors
in here as it is more common in whites but does occur in
all races. It is more common in those who are farsighted.
Now for some risk factors over which we all have some
control.
Smoking
High blood pressure
Vascular disease
High intake of saturated fat and cholesterol
High blood cholesterol level
Exposure to sunlight
*************
Summary
To lower your risk for macular degeneration:
Stop smoking
Work to decrease your blood pressure. Please see the last
two newsletters on blood pressure to see what lifestyle
changes you can make to help lower your blood pressure.
If you would like to review these articles they are posted
on this site.
Always wear sunglasses with good UV protection when you are
outside and always be careful to never look into direct
sunlight.
Dietary Modification
A low cholestrol, low fat and low or NO sugar diet which is
high in green leafy vegetables and foods that are high in
vitamins E and C and Lutien, which is an antioxidant found
in high quantities in spinach, kale and other dark green
leafy vegetables, is recommended.
The leading causes of vascular diseases here in America
are sugar ingestion (adult onset diabetes) and animal
protein ingestion (coronary artery disease and stroke).
The MericleDiet
The MericleDiet is the only diet today that meets or exceeds
these requirements. It makes the transition away from sugar
and animal products as easy as it can be and will supply
your retina with all the dark leafy green vegetables and
energy from complex carbohydrates that it needs. It will
lower your risk of adult onset diabetes mellitus and the
ongoing vascular destruction associated with diabetes and
keep your larger arteries more healthy by keeping your
saturated fat and cholesterol levels low. To visit the
MericleDiet or signup for Dr. Mericle's Newsletter click
on the link below.
Dr.Mericle's Newsletter and the MericleDiet
Reference:
Eyesite.org
Thank you for your time.
Copyright © John Mericle M.D. 2005 All Rights Reserved
posted by John Mericle M.D. D.A.B.R. @ 12:38 PM
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