What You Need to Know About Macular Degeneration

Age Related Macular Degeneration is a cause for blindness. Though the condition is age related, there are certain dietary guidelines that can help in management of the condition. Foods and Vitamin supplements can help prevent blindness effectively.

Certain foods provide powerful anti-oxidants, check free radical damage to the eye and avert age related blindness.People, who develop age linked macular degeneration, first experience loss of central vision. Over a period of time, they lose complete vision altogether.

Experts say, ARMD or age related macular degeneration develops because of a build-up of A2E, which is a natural by-product of different cellular processes within the body. On the other hand, in contrast to other cellular by-products, A2E does not break down, and hence, causes excessive damage to your retina.

The other factor that causes ARMD is injury to the mitochondria in the cells. Too much build up of A2E disturbs the energy manufactured by the mitochondria, consequently resulting in the loss of the photoreceptors or the cells for vision.

Research was carried out to assess the photo-receptors of rats, cows and humans. Results demonstrated that anti-oxidants ward off damage to the cells that are responsible for vision. Furthermore, anti-oxidants have the capacity to lengthen the life span of the photo-receptors and the retinal cells as well.

The macula is the central section of the retina, measuring 5 mm in diameter; the retina is the light sensitive area of the eye.

In the center of the macula is the fovea. The fovea is perhaps the most vital portion of the eye. Usually, vision is not lost until the fovea gets impaired by diseases and then blindness sets in.

The macula is the place where light is focused by the lens and cornea. It takes the picture which is relayed to the brain via the optic nerve, where vision is completed. It is the macula which ensures that we see in great detail, while the rest of the retina provides us peripheral vision.

Pictures and impressions focus on the macula of the retinal tissue. The macula is chiefly accountable for our vision. Significantly, ARMD has surfaced as a primary cause for visual loss and poor vision across the globe.

Macular Degeneration Symptoms

• ARMD starts as obscuring of the vision.
• Images get distorted.
• The patient may see a dark patch in the center of the visual field.
• Whilst reading, some words may go missing.
• At first, the peripheral vision is normal; however, over a period of time, it decreases.

Foods that are rich in Vitamin A are considered beneficial in the preventing macular degeneration. Experts, world over, advocate enhancing the daily diet with foods that help maintain a healthy and good vision. Increase your daily consumption of - carrots, papayas, tomatoes, spinach, broccoli, kiwi, cherries, corn, Brussels sprouts, bell peppers, green leafy vegetables, fenugreek, apples and mangoes.

Vitamins to Prevent Blindness

The following foods provide liberal quantities of (lutein, zeaxanthin, and lycopene) antioxidants that prevent free radical damage to the photo-receptors and thus, safeguard vision:

1. Carrots: help sustain optimal vision, even in old age. Carotene, found in plentiful, protects the tissues of the eye from age related macular degeneration and prevents the development of cataract. Carrots stave off night blindness and promote good night vision.
2. Glutathione Supplements: Glutathione is a small protein molecule which comprises of three different amino acids. Glutathione supplements are considered beneficial in the management of AMRD and also is considered a potent anti aging agent.
3. Spinach: spinach is packed with lutein, which is very vital for healthy eyesight and, is extremely important to check haziness of the vision and blindness.