Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the US, and there is no cure for it. There are treatments, however, that help stave off the effects of this disease. You might have heard that an eyelid wash could be helpful, but it is actually not intended for AMD at all.
Instructions
1. Don't bother with eyelid wash. Your doctor will probably not prescribe it to you if you have AMD. Eyelid wash is not intended for use with AMD. It is designed to ease discomfort associated with blepharitis, a chronic inflammation of the eyelids and eyelash area.
2. Eat a diet rich in colorful vegetables including corn, broccoli, spinach and squash. Carotenoids, the chemicals that give these foods their bright colors, are key components in the human retina. Building up these substances in the eye may prevent the progressive vision loss AMD causes. Also eliminate junk food and tobacco products to protect the blood supply and the delicate balance of nutrients in diseased eyes.
3. Supplement your diet. The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) came up with a formulation of daily dietary supplements in the form of 500 mg. Vitamin C, 400 International Units (IU) Vitamin E, 15 mg. beta-carotene (often labeled as to 25,000 IU Vitamin A), 80 mg. zinc as zinc oxide, and 2 mg of copper as cupric oxide. Copper was included in the AREDS formulation to reduce the risk of copper deficiency anemia, which can result from high levels of zinc intake. The AREDS formulation is especially important for people with the more common dry form of AMD, to prevent it from progressing into the wet form.
4. Discuss other treatment options with your doctor. People who suffer from the wet form of AMD may benefit from laser surgery or photodynamic therapy (a light-activated drug followed by exposure of the eye to light) to destroy wayward, leaky blood vessels that cause vision loss. There are also tried-and-true drugs that can help slow the progress of wet AMD, and many others that are under investigation.
5. Consider clinical studies. The American Macular Degeneration Foundation (AMDF) Web site, www.macular.org, maintains links to ongoing clinical studies. After reading up on these, should you find one that seems to address your situation, discuss whether you should participate.
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