Macular Degeneration: How To Fight Back Against Age-related Macular Degeneration And Preserve Your Vision

According to the results of a recent US survey, the health threat most people are worried about, next to cancer, is losing their sight. Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in people over 55, and by the age of 65 it's estimated that as many as one in four of us in the UK may begin to show signs of having the condition.

New Health Revelations brought you a report on safe and effective natural alternatives that can confer vital protection against age related macular degeneration (ARMD), back in January 2002. Since then there have been more exciting developments, which is why we want to bring you this follow-up report to alert you to new research findings, which reveal how even more natural substances have the ability to help prevent and treat this disabling condition.

A loss of focus in the centre of your vision could signal age related macular degeneration (ARMD)
age related macular degeneration (ARMD) involves progressive damage to the central and most vital area of your retina (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye). This area is called the macula, from the latin word for spot. It's what allows you to focus on objects directly in front of you, which is essential for seeing fine detail and is needed for activities like reading and driving.

Damage to the macula can be caused by a number of factors, including too much exposure to strong sunlight, smoking and - according to one study - up to one sixth of age related macular degeneration (ARMD) cases could be a result of a genetic abnormality (Science 1997; 277(5333): 1805).

There are two main forms of age related macular degeneration (ARMD), the 'dry' form, which is responsible for up to 90 per cent of all cases, and the less common 'wet' form of the disease. The 'dry' form involves a gradual loss of central vision over several years, caused by the death of light-sensitive cells in the macula and by deposits behind the retina of a yellowish substance called drusen.

'Wet' macular degeneration is caused by the abnormal growth of new blood vessels behind the retina, which leak or bleed and can cause the retina to become detached from the back of the eye. This is a serious condition that can result in a rapid loss of vision.

In both types of age related macular degeneration (ARMD), diagnosed following simple eye tests, symptoms may include blurring of close objects, difficulty in seeing objects far away, shape distortion and, in more advanced cases, a dark patch in the centre of the field of vision. Total blindness is rare since most people retain enough peripheral vision to be aware of their surroundings.

Surgery can lead to further deterioration in vision
Conventional medicine generally considers 'dry' age related macular degeneration (ARMD) to be untreatable. Laser surgery is sometimes carried out for the 'wet' form of the disease, to help seal the leaking blood vessels, but it's not always successful and can lead to scarring and additional vision loss.

Fortunately, recent research has highlighted the role that many natural substances in foods can play in preventing age related macular degeneration (ARMD) and in halting the progression of the disease. For example, research carried out at the University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City in the US, shows that low levels of two carotenoids called lutein and zeaxanthin in the eye tissue could contribute to age related macular degeneration (ARMD) (Ophthalmology 2002; 109: 1780-7).

Carotenoids provide the colour to red, yellow and dark green vegetables. They are also found in high concentrations in the macula where they form a protective layer called the macular pigment, which acts like sunglasses and absorbs harmful ultra-violet light.

For the first time, a large-scale clinical trial was recently conducted to measure the levels of these substances in the eyes of age related macular degeneration (ARMD) patients. The researchers found that macular carotenoid levels generally decline until the age of about 60, when the incidence of age related macular degeneration (ARMD) begins to rise dramatically. They also found that levels of the protective macular pigment in patients with age related macular degeneration (ARMD) were 32 per cent lower than in people of the same age with healthy eyes.

Carotenoids in spinach and red peppers hold the key to healthy eyes
According to studies carried out at Harvard University, people that ate large amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin had a 57 per cent lower risk of developing age related macular degeneration (ARMD) than people who ate very little (JAMA 1994; 272: 1413-20).

While lutein's role in maintaining eye health has long been recognised, new research at the University of Southampton has found that zeaxanthin may be even more important in protecting the macula from damaging light rays (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2003; 44(6): 2461-2465).

Neither of these vital carotenoids are stored indefinitely in the eyes, so it's important to keep on topping up your levels, through diet or supplements (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2003; 44(1): 306-9). If you already have age related macular degeneration (ARMD), take 6mg of lutein and 800mcg of zeaxanthin a day (often available in the same product). As a preventative measure, simply halve these amounts. Plus, eat plenty of spinach and kale, which contain high levels of lutein, and red peppers, which are an excellent source of zeaxanthin. Other carotenoids that are important for eye health are beta-carotene, found in carrots, and lycopene, from tomatoes.

Antioxidants can reduce your risk of age related macular degeneration (ARMD) by up to 70%
Antioxidants also play an important role in preventing age related macular degeneration (ARMD). A study carried out at five leading eye centres in the US concluded that people with the highest blood levels of vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium have a 70 per cent lower risk of developing age related macular degeneration (ARMD) than those with the lowest levels (Arch Ophthalmol 1993; 111: 104-9).

In addition, a breakthrough study, conducted over the last decade and involving 3,600 people, has shown that taking an antioxidant supplement can reduce the risk of developing advanced age related macular degeneration (ARMD) by 25 per cent and reduce the risk of vision loss by 19 per cent (Arch Ophthalmol 2001; 119(10): 1417-36).

The daily antioxidant supplement used in this study contained 500mg vitamin C, 400iu vitamin E and 15mg beta-carotene. If you wish to take selenium, the recommended amount is 20mg a day.

A recent clinical trial in Germany has found that the herb ginkgo biloba is also effective in treating age related macular degeneration (ARMD). After taking a ginkgo extract for four weeks, patients with 'dry' macular degeneration showed a marked improvement in their visual acuity. (Wien Med Wochenschr 2002; 152(15-16): 423-6).

Ginkgo appears to be beneficial because of its antioxidant properties. Take 120mg to 240mg of standardised ginkgo a day.

Fish oils can help too, as they help protect the cells of the retina against degenerative changes. A recent study, involving 350 patients aged between 55 and 80, revealed that a high intake of omega 3 fatty acids (the kind found in oily fish like mackerel, herring and salmon) was linked to a lower risk of age related macular degeneration (ARMD) (Arch Ophthalmol 2001; 119: 1191-9).

A separate study showed that people who eat fish more than once a week have half the risk of age related macular degeneration (ARMD) compared with those who eat fish less than once a month (Arch Ophthalmol 2000; 118: 401-4).