Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of low vision. AMD is a degenerative disease that happens when part of the retina called the macula is damaged. It’s the part of the eye that delivers sharp, central vision needed to see objects straight ahead. Over time, the loss of central vision can interfere with everyday activities, such as the ability to drive, read, and see faces clearly.
Other common contributors include diabetic eye disease, glaucoma and inherited retinal diseases.

Eye specialist at NARAIN EYE CARE have more tools than ever before to diagnose the disease earlier. But these advances cannot help patients whose disease is undiagnosed or patients who are unaware of the seriousness of their disease. People’s lack of understanding about AMD is a real danger to public health. Most people with AMD don’t realize it’s a chronic health issue that requires regular attention for the rest of their lives. 

1. Get regular comprehensive medical eye exams.

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) often has no early warning signs, so getting regular eye exams from an ophthalmologist is critical to treating the eye disease in its early stages. NARAIN EYE CARE recommends that adults with no signs or risk factors for eye disease get a baseline eye disease screening at age 40. By age 65, NARAIN EYE CARE recommends getting an exam every one to two years, even in the absence of symptoms or eye problems.

2. Quit smoking

Numerous studies show smoking increases the risk of developing AMD, and the speed at which it progresses. Smokers are twice as likely to develop macular degeneration compared with a nonsmoker.

3. Eat a well-balanced diet 

Many studies demonstrate that eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and nutrient-packed foods, such as salmon and nuts, may reduce the risk of AMD. Research also suggests that patients who ate fresh fish, an important source of omega-3s, were at lower risk of developing AMD.

4. Take the right kind of vitamins

Vitamins can delay progression of advanced AMD and help people keep their vision longer if they have intermediate AMD or advanced AMD in one eye. But make sure it’s the right combination of vitamins. A recent study found that some of the top-selling products do not contain identical ingredient dosages to eye vitamin formulas proven effective in clinical trials. 

5. Exercise regularly 

Exercising 3 times a week can reduce the risk of developing wet AMD by 70 percent. Studies also show that physical activity may lower the odds of both early and late-stages of AMD.

6. Monitor your sight with an Amsler Grid

The simple daily routine takes less than one minute and can help people with AMD save more of their vision. Using this grid is essential to find any vision changes that are not obvious, so you can report them to our ophthalmologist.

7. Know your family’s eye health history

If you have a close relative with AMD, you have a 50 percent greater chance of developing the condition. Before your next eye exam, speak with your family about their eye health history. You may need more frequent eye exams based on your family history.