Risk Factors of Macular Degeneration.

There are a number or risk factors, some you can change and some you can't!

Age – the older you are, the higher the risk.

Diet and Nutrition. Poor diet, high in fats, low in vitamins and excessive alcohol increases the risk.

Sunlight. Increased exposure to UV light increases the risk. Light colour irises also increases the risk.

Smoking. This doubles the risk of macular changes!

How to Reduce your risk

Wear sunglasses to reduce the risk of damage from UV light

Wear a wide brim hat to shade the eyes

Eat a diet rich in fruits and green leafy vegetables or take a good vitamin product. This can reduce your risk MD by 43%. Fish twice a week has been shown to help.

      A combination of vitamins A, C, E with zinc and copper has   been shown to reduce the risk by 23% (See AREDS Nutrition Formula). Smokers should be aware that Vit A (Beta caratone) increases your risk of lung cancer if taken in a tablet form but not in normal vegetables                                                                              

      Limit your intake of saturated fats, cholesterol and alcohol

Control your Blood Pressure

STOP SMOKING.

Have a regular eye test at an optician to get your retina checked

Test your own eyes with an Amsler chart. A Free download of this chart with instructions can be found at

        www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/amsler-grid.html

(Copy and paste this link into your browser bar)

An active lifestyle e.g. a 2 mile walk. 3 times a week, will reduce your risk by 70%