What can I do to decrease my chances of losing vision from AMD?

Certain choices can slow down macular degeneration and may even help prevent it in people with high uncontrollable risk factors. Other choices can speed up the disease process.

A landmark study conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NHS) and the National Eye Institute (NEI) showed that people with moderate and advanced age-related macular degeneration had significant benefit with regard to disease progression and preservation of visual acuity by taking dietary supplements such as MacuSave, which contains high-dose antioxidants and zinc. This study, called the AREDS (Age-Related Eye Disease Study), was the first ever to prove that dietary supplements can alter the natural progression and complications of a disease state.

• Don’t smoke tobacco
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Eat a balanced diet low in saturated fat
• Exercise regularly
• Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under control
• Have regular eye examination