Among all the organs in the human body, eye is probably the one people value the most. So it is quite natural that people become worried when any eye or vision related problem occurs. Most vision related problems are short term and can easily be cured. But some vision-related disorders have no specific cure. Major eye related disorders and conditions include cataracts and macular degeneration, both of which can lead to blindness. While there are several treatments available for cataract that can restore or improve failing eyesight, people with macular degeneration are having fewer options.
Macular Degeneration is an age related eye disorder, which leads to distorted and blurred vision. This can be extremely problematic when it comes to regular activities like reading or driving. This is seen mostly in men and women in their 50s, but at times it can strike earlier too. In the elderly population, macular degeneration is the main cause of irreversible blindness. In this disorder, cells in the macular region deteriorate slowly, affecting the central vision. Progression of age related macular degeneration varies from one person to another.
The macula is a yellowish small area near the retina that helps people distinguish between fine details. It is a light-sensitive tissue. Macular degeneration does not cause any pain and are of 2 types — wet and dry.
The most commonplace symptoms of macular degeneration are:
The exact cause of macular degeneration is unclear, but doctors have identified a few triggers that can pave way for this disorder. The identified risk factors are:
Ophthalmologists test people for macular degeneration when they are over 60 and blurred vision affects their life. They can use special eye drops to enlarge or dilate pupils for this. They can also resort to using numerous objects and designs to test the visual conditions.
While medical science has not yet come up with a cure for macular degeneration, the many patients afflicted by this condition are not entirely without options either. With dietary and lifestyle changes, victims of this disorder can lead a better life and slow down the progression of this disorder. You need to include certain herbs, foods, and nutrients in your diet and get rid of unhealthy habits to cope with this disorder. For this, you need not spend a lot of money or deprive yourself of delicious dishes throughout your life. But, we have found out some simple ways to beat macular degeneration. Read on to more about the remedies to cure macular degeneration:
Vitamin A, as well as beta-carotene plays a pivotal role in maintaining eye health in humans. Beta-carotene offers nourishment to eye’s photo receptors and aids macular functioning. It also helps prevent photo oxidation of the lens. So, make sure your diet contains ample amounts of these nutrients to slow down macular degeneration.
Lycopene and similar carotenoids found in vegetables like tomatoes are important to fight the onset of macular degeneration. Studies have shown regular intake of lycopene reduces macular degeneration risk. In fact, lycopene can be useful to fight other types of visual disorders too. A tomato a day can definitely keep your eyes healthy and fine!
Astaxanthin is a carotenoid found mostly in algae. It accumulates in tissues of fish species like trout, salmon and shrimp. It is a useful tool to bolster eye health. Include these sea foods in your diet to fight macular degeneration.
You need to include certain antioxidants in your diet to fight macular degeneration. Lutein and zeaxanthin are two such antioxidants and they can be found in plants with bright hued fruits. You need to include vegetables like romaine lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, kale and spinach. Lutein can help delay the onset of dry macular degeneration by preventing sun damage.
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