Macular Degeneration - Protect Your Vision

Macular degeneration is the leading cause ofas noted above and the
blindness inolder you are, the more at risk you are. Race
the age 65 and over group in both the Unitedalso factors
States andin here as it is more common in whites but does
the United Kingdom. One in six Americansoccur in
between the ages ofall races. It is more common in those who are
55 and 64 will be affected which increases tofarsighted.Now for some risk factors over which
one in fourwe all have some
between the ages of 64 and 74. Over the agecontrol.SmokingHigh blood pressureVascular
of 75 one indiseaseHigh intake of saturated fat and
three will be affected. Each year 1.2 million peoplecholesterolHigh blood cholesterol levelExposure to
of thesunlight*************SummaryTo lower your
estimated 12 million people with macularrisk for macular degeneration:Stop smokingWork
degeneration willto decrease your blood pressure. Please see the
have severe loss of central vision.What islast
macular degenerationThe macular portion of thetwo newsletters on blood pressure to see what
retina is where central visionlifestyle
occurs. This is the vision that allows us basicallychanges you can make to help lower your blood
topressure.
see. This portion of the retina is mostly populatedIf you would like to review these articles they
with cone cells, which are the cells that allow usare both
toposted on this site or visit Dr. Mericle's blog (the
read, write and generally see things when therelink
is sufficientis in the resource box at the bottom of this
light. The rod cells populate the rest of the retinaarticle).Always wear sunglasses with good UV
protection when you are
and are what we see with in darkness. The coneoutside and always be careful to never look into
portiondirect
of the retina has one of the highest metabolicsunlight.Dietary ModificationA low cholestrol, low
rates of anyfat and low or NO sugar diet which is
group of cells in the body and like the brain,high in green leafy vegetables and foods that are
needs ahigh in
constant supply of nutrients to maintain goodvitamins E and C and Lutien, which is an
vision.antioxidant found
Anything that compromises blood flow to thesein high quantities in spinach, kale and other dark
cells cangreen
cause loss of function of these cells ie macularleafy vegetables, is recommended.The leading
degeneration.SymptomsBecause the brain is verycauses of vascular diseases here in America
good at filling in the visualare sugar ingestion (adult onset diabetes) and
picture, the early loss of function of the macularanimal
cone cellsprotein ingestion (coronary artery disease and
may go unnoticed. This means that in the earlystroke).The MericleDietThe MericleDiet is the only
stages mostdiet today that meets or exceeds
people with macular degeneration don't knowthese requirements. It makes the transition away
they have it.from sugar
By the time it is usually diagnosed, it can be veryand animal products as easy as it can be and will
advancedsupply
with considerable loss of visual acuity / centralyour retina with all the dark leafy green
vision.TestingIf you are concerned about macularvegetables and
degeneration a visit toenergy from complex carbohydrates that it
your local ophthalmologist might be in order. Also,needs. It will
by visitinglower your risk of adult onset diabetes mellitus
the site below you can test yourself with theand the
Amsler grid.ongoing vascular destruction associated with
This is a test used to determine if there is anydiabetes and
significantkeep your larger arteries more healthy by
compromise in central vision. To do this followkeeping your
the linksaturated fat and cholesterol levels
below: factorsMacular degeneration is age relatedlow.Reference: you for your time.