(http://www.PreserveMacForte.com) Eye physicians are trying to educate older persons about the necessity of making healthier lifestyle choices in order to protect their vision, reported Today Online on September 19.
According to the article, eye doctors, as part of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) week in Singapore, are seeking to encourage older persons to reduce their odds of being diagnosed with the vision loss-causing eye ailment by promoting the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. The article added that AMD, a progressive eye ailment, generally impacts people who are older than 60. It results when the macula, the part of the eye that facilitates central vision, ceases to function properly
According to the article, the campaign will kick off on Saturday and is being spearheaded by Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH), AMD Alliance International, Singapore Eye Research Institute and the Health Promotion Board.
While people who come down with the condition will still be capable of living independently to some extent, their quality of life will be undeniably compromised since they will suffer irreversible loss of their central vision., said Dr. Kumari Neelam in the article. The article noted that Dr. Neelam is a registrar at the Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences department at KTPH. Dr. Neelam explained in the article that AMD ultimately makes it hard to read books, operate motor vehicles, recognize faces, sew clothing or do other things that necessitate close scrutiny.
According to the article, one of the things that can increase the odds of getting AMD is smoking cigarettes. Dr. Lekha Gopal, a consultant at the Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences department at KTPH, said in the article that people who stay away from cigarettes and who make healthier lifestyle choices can less their chances of getting AMD or slow down its progression if they end up getting it. Other risk factors include high blood pressure and obesity, according to the article.
Various reports have added that getting regular exercise, eating lots of fresh produce, eating foods high in omega-3 fatty acids and going in for regular eye tests are other ways people can take charge of their eye health and reduce their odds of getting AMD.