How To Detect Macular Degeneration

Macular Degeneration, estimated to affect approximately 10 million Americans, is the leading cause of blindness for those over the age of 55 according to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation.

Macular degeneration occurs when the central portion of the retina, the inside back layer of the eye, begins to degenerate due to age or other causes. This area of the retina, called the macula, is key to our ability to see because it sends signals to the optic nerve that allows us to see detail, colors, faces and letters for reading.

There are a number of symptoms that can help detect macular degeneration. When looking at an object with a straight line, it appears bent or wavy when the macula is degenerating. A dark blank spot in the middle of your vision when you are staring straight ahead is another symptom. When your vision is fixed on a particular object and then you cover one of your eyes, the object may seem to change in color or appear to be a different size. Unfortunately, there is no cure for macular degeneration.

Fortunately, there are several steps to take to help prevent the onset of macular degeneration. Among the most important is a diet rich in Vitamin A from such foods as dark leafy green vegetables, broccoli, corn, squash, spinach and collard greens. Antioxidants and zinc supplements also help protect this area of the eye. Choose low-fat foods and eliminate junk foods from your diet. Quit smoking. Also wear sunglasses to help protect your eyesight from UV rays and blue light.

If you already have some progression of macular degeneration, there are a number of low vision aids on the market that can help you be able to continue to read and function. These include magnifiers that enlarge print as you read, spectacles that help to magnify what you are viewing, telescopes and closed circuit television that improves your ability to see objects on the screen. Lamps with a brighter degree of illumination than usual is helpful for reading and some items like wristwatches and telephone keypads are now sold featuring large bold numbers for easier viewing.

Once macular degeneration has been detected, be sure to discuss any medications you are currently taking with your physician because many prescription drugs can interfere with vision or actually make macular degeneration worse.