11 Risk Factors for Macular Degeneration
There are many risk factors for age related macular degeneration other than simply aging. If you avoid these risk factors, or make lifestyle adjustments, then it may help protect your eyes from macular degeneration, or AMD.
Smoking and Macular Degeneration
Smoking constricts blood vessels. This may increase your risk of developing age related macular degeneration or may cause a quicker progression of the eye disease. Obviously, we all know that smoking isn’t good for your health and there are plenty of other health benefits when you quit smoking other than reducing your risk of AMD.
Family History of Macular Degeneration
If you have a history of macular degeneration in your family like an aunt, uncle, grandparent, brother of sister, then you have an increased risk of developing age related macular degeneration yourself.
Gender and Age Related Macular Degeneration
Women are more likely to develop macular degeneration than men. This may be partly due to having a longer life expectancy than men.
Race
One’s race is another factor in the development of AMD. Caucasians are more likely to develop this incurable eye disease than other races.
Prolonged Exposure to the Sun
Prolonged exposure to sunlight increases your risk of macular degeneration. It is very important to have a good pair of sunglasses when you are exposed to sunlight. Sunglasses that block blue light are the most effective at protecting your eyes from damaging blue light and may reduce damage to the macula. You should also wear a hat with a brim to keep the sun from your eyes.
Diet
A diet high fatty foods, low in green leafy vegetables, and low in antioxidants may increase your risk of developing macular degeneration. (See our other story about the best diet for macular degeneration). You can get the proper nutrition to help protect your eyes through a diet rich in green, leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, collard greens, and broccoli. You should also eat plenty of lean meats, sea foods high in omega-3 fatty acids (Salmon), orange peppers, almonds, and sunflower seeds.
Obesity
It is very important to exercise to for a healthy lifestyle, which may reduce your risk of many health ailments, including macular degeneration. Speak to your physician about losing weight and developing a safe, healthy exercise regimen.
High Blood Pressure
Like smoking, high blood pressure constricts your blood vessels and increases one’s risk of developing age related macular degeneration. High blood pressure may also lead to the advancement of AMD more quickly if you have already been diagnosed.
Eye Color and Macular Degeneration
People with light colored eyes have an increased risk of macular degeneration. If you are a person of lighter eye color, then it is even more important that you avoid excessive sun exposure with sunglasses that block blue light and wear a brimmed hat when in the sun.
Inactivity
Inactivity is related to obesity and high blood pressure. An inactive lifestyle increases your risk of AMD. Talk to your healthcare provider about starting some form of exercise program for a healthier lifestyle. This may mean that you start with 30 minutes of walking 3 or 4 days per week, which has been shown to help lower cholesterol, reduce body weight, and help protect your eye health.
Macular Degeneration in One Eye
If you already have AMD in one eye, then it is more likely that you will develop it in the second eye as well. If you have difficulty reading, driving, watching television, or recognizing faces, then you may have signs of AMD in one or both eyes. Get examined by an eye care specialist as soon as possible for the best opportunity of early detection. Early detection is very important so that you can quickly act on all the other risk factors that may help slow your eye disease.
There is no known cure for age related macular degeneration and no known way to reverse it. The best hope is to slow the disease once you have been diagnosed. This is why early detection is vital to the longevity of your vision.
Your eye care specialist may also recommend a daily ocular health supplement containing vitamin c, vitamin e, zinc, copper, lutein, and zeaxanthin.
Health Alert: if you are a smoker or used to be a heavy smoker, then find a ocular supplement that is beta-carotene free. This means that it contains no vitamin A. Studies have shown that people who smoke or used to smoke have an increase risk of lung cancer when taking high doses of beta-carotene.