Preventing And Slowing Amd - Age Related Macular Degeneration Amd: Eye Care

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Preventing and slowing AMD

While there is no surefire way to prevent AMD, you can take steps that may delay onset of the disease or reduce its severity. Because smoking can accelerate AMD damage, quitting smoking is an important preventive step. Wearing hats and sunglasses that block the sun's blue wavelengths — which are thought to possibly promote AMD — may also provide protection.

Some evidence suggests that using statins, a group of drugs usually prescribed to lower cholesterol, may lower the risk of AMD. Heart disease is usually identified with an increased risk of AMD, so the statin connection is not surprising. Nevertheless, much more research is needed before doctors begin prescribing statins to prevent AMD.

Evidence also suggests that certain nutrients may help prevent macular degeneration. Middle-aged and older people may benefit from diets rich in fresh fruits and dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach or collard greens. The large, multicenter Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) reported in 2001 that for people at high risk of developing advanced stages of wet AMD, high-dose combinations of the antioxidant vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and zinc lowered risk by about 25% (see "Will vitamins help?" above). The supplements provided no apparent benefit for participants who had either no AMD or early AMD. But ask your doctor about taking such supplements if you have intermediate dry AMD in one or both eyes, or advanced AMD (dry or wet) in one eye.

There is also some evidence that a diet high in saturated fat may increase your risk of developing AMD. Although the jury is still out, reducing saturated fat in your diet is healthful in several ways and might also help prevent AMD.

Last updated:	June 19, 2007