Macular Degeneration Treatment Tips

In our last post we talked about how eye color influences your chances of developing macular degenerative disease. We also asked the question "What do rainbows have to do with macular degenerative disease?" The main answer is that "iris" is Greek for "rainbow"!

If you do have light colored irides (iris) you are at higher risk of eye degeneration because you don’t have enough natural pigment to protect your eyes from the damaging effects of sun and UV rays.

And that is why also a "rainbow" of foods is very important. Foods are colored or pigmented by substances such as carotenoids and chlorophyll. Carotenoids are found in orange or red colored plants and vegies like carrots and butternut squash or pumpkin. They are also found in leafy greens such as kale, broccoli and spinach. In these green plants the carotenoid is masked by the chlorophyll.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin are two of the most important carotenoids to prevent eye degeneration. According to experts,  Zeaxanthin is the most needed carotenoid antioxidant but it is also the hardest to fulfill from our daily diet.

Zeaxanthin is available in its most concentrated form in marigold flowers. It’s a great idea to sprinkle your salad with marigold petals – but will you get the recommended dose you need to have any effect on eye health?

We have done a lot of research to choose the supplement we think is the best to take specifically to strengthen the macula and eyesight. We found a product that contains both Lutein and Zeaxanthin (along with other special eye ingredients) in high doses – 10mg of Zeaxanthin – from the best natural source, marigold flowers.

The idea of the rainbow also leads to the concept of synergy. It’s how the colors of the rainbow work together that gives a rainbow its beauty. It’s the same with our nutritional needs. It is what we eat or take with what that makes the difference.

To prevent eye degeneration think rainbow. 

And if you want to slow the progress of macular degenerative disease, or protect yourself from it, take the supplement we use:  Visulyn. 

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If you have blue, green or light-colored eyes you are at higher risk of developing macular degenerative disease.

This is simply because there is less pigment in the iris. Pigment in the iris is just like pigment in the skin in that it gives some protection from the damaging rays of the sun. In the eyes it prevents damaging light from entering the retina.

Fair-eyed, fair-skinned people are at higher risk of macular degenerative disease. Nutritional supplements for your eyes, like Visulyn, contain a substance called Lutein. To learn more about Lutein see our previous posts. Basically Lutein is a carotenoid pigment naturally occurring in the macular, like melanin. New research shows that supplementation with Lutein is an effective way of boosting your eye pigment and protecting your macula.

Read the next post to find out.

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One very simple and recommended thing to do to save your macula is to protect your eyes from the sun’s damaging rays. High sun exposure is a recognized risk factor in macular degeneration vision loss.

Interestingly the vitamins and minerals recommended to protect the skin against sun damage are the same ones that are needed for optimum eye health. 
 
The natural product we recommend for eye health and for treating macular degeneration vision problems is called Visulyn. You can find out more about Visulyn by clicking here.

Technorati Tags: macular degeneration vision, macular dry, macular protect

What is the Reality of Macular Degeneration Vision Loss?

Imagine not being able to read. Never reading a book ever again! No reading in bed, no absorbing stories from the page … never reading a newspaper, or a flyer, map, computer screen, or anything.

Reading means a lot to me and always has, so losing it from my life would be very hard. What about you? 

How would you cope?

If you have the eye disease of macular degeneration, you can lose your central vision. That means not only might you never be able to read again, but everything that requires clear central vision could go.

How would you find your way around? No more driving! You can’t drive a car when you can’t see ahead, only peripherally. You’d need help to do all sorts of everyday tasks. What about filling in forms? Close work, like sewing or knitting, making or fixing things? Even cutting open a packet of rice? Playing or watching sport or games? They’d be out the window … Imagine how your world would close in.  

Losing the ability to do all these things we’re used to doing in our lives is a real possibility with the threat of macular degeneration.

I don’t want to sound too alarmist: it’s not all bad news. The more common but less severe form of AMD is ‘macular dry’, or dry macular degeneration, and it usually starts in one eye, though can progress to the other. You will nearly always retain some peripheral vision. You might cope very well.

But who wants to lose their vision at all, let alone go blind? Growing older can be hard enough without that. A lot of the things you enjoy could be diminished or become impossible if you can’t see properly, if things appear distorted and especially if there’s a blank in the middle of your vision.

You wouldn’t even be able to recognise familiar faces any more. How awful would that be?

AMD has many factors and some complexities. Fortunately, there are things you can do. That’s what this blog is all about. It’s an AMD guide. Every post will give you more information and tips of what you need to know, recent research and ways to treat macular degeneration vision loss.

Remember, while there are a range of medical and other treatment options for wet AMD, for dry macular degeneration there is no established cure or actual treatment other than taking a nutritional supplement. However this simple solution can be very effective. The product we’ve chosen – and recommend to you too – is expertly created for macular degeneration vision  and eye health needs. 

ARMD with macular degeneration vision loss affects up to (and some say more than) 30 million people worldwide. Don’t be one of them.

Technorati Tags: amd guide, dry macular degeneration, macular degeneration vision, macular dry

There’s a macular degeneration test you can do at home quite easily. It uses a grid, called the ‘Amsler grid’ (used by eye doctors) to quickly assess if your vision is normal or damaged.

It works best with a printed version taped to the wall at eye height. Even looking at rows of fenceposts or any regular straight lines could give a similar indication (chances are you’ll already have noticed if there’s anything odd, but this test helps us become more aware of vision changes). Eye doctors often suggest testing yourself regularly with the Amsler grid test.

Check out this video on the Amsler grid to see how this macular degeneration test works.

Did you cover one eye for a quick self-test on the grid in the video?

If you use an Amsler grid printout, here’s how you do it:

• do the test in good lighting
• wear your glasses or contact lenses if you use any for reading
• look at the grid from about 14" away, with the  central dot at eye level
• cover one eye
• focus on the central dot
• take note: can you see all 4 corners of the grid?
• are there any blank/missing areas or dark spots?
• are any lines distorted, wavy or blurred?
• repeat with the other eye
  

This Amsler grid test can show up damage to the macula or to the optic nerve, which could be due to macular degeneration or glaucoma. Another thing to be aware of is that some people with AMD may not see distortions – so a clear result from this test isn’t an absolute guarantee of freedom from macular degeneration. Have a complete eye exam with an eye care professional for more accurate results.

Macular degeneration treatments are constantly being researched. See our treatment tips and information on eye health nutrients to protect your sight.

For the most effective natural treatment of macular degeneration eye conditions, we recommend taking a quality eye health supplement. To find out more click here.

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Black spot eye symptoms are sometimes the first indication of macular degeneration.

Watch this video. If you are experiencing similar problems with your vision you should immediately have a macular degeneration test.

For all of us over 50 years old, looking after our eye health needs to be one of our New Year resolutions. Eat the right food, wear sunglasses and take the appropriate supplements.

We recommend Visulyn for black spot eye symptoms. It’s an oral supplement of natural ingredients specially formulated for your eyes.

And if you have black spots, eye blurriness or loss of central vision like in this video, have your eyes examined in a macular degeneration test.

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Macular degeneration: New Year is the time to focus on eye health! This year, 2009, is still young and now is the best time to prioritize caring for our vision and any macular degeneration eye issues.

We’re poised between New Year (January 1) and Chinese New Year (January 26) 2009. It’s a great place to take stock and start new strategies to look after ourselves and those we care about. This year in Chinese astrology will be the Year of the Ox: disciplined, patient, hard-working. A few of those qualities will yield priceless results when we apply them to our own eye health.

And a simple thing you can do may make the most difference. It’s easy to take one capsule a day of a supplement that will look after your vision.

Make it your ‘free from macular degeneration’ new year!

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Recently a study found that more than a third of people with AMD were not using supplements or were taking an incorrect dose. If you do have macular degeneration symptoms most experts agree you should be taking certain supplements.

At Macular Degeneration Treatment Tips we’ve researched what supplements are the most helpful for macular degeneration symptoms. We chose a supplement called Visulyn, which is rich in vision-specific nutrients that enhance each other in action.

When we feel our intake of fresh organic fruits and veges is low we also take a multivitamin and mineral supplement for general health. That supplies necessary Zinc, Copper, Vitamins A, C and E (all of which are important nutrients for eye health) as well as Vitamin B etc.

The elements of Visulyn are rarer and hard to find in diet or multivitamins. We decided we can’t afford not to take a specific supplement to protect sight. If you feel the same you can look into Visulyn yourself here. 

Also in previous posts we’ve looked at eye health nutrients, and suggested antioxidant nutrition tips including the best food to eat.

But be careful not to jump out of the frying pan and into the fire! Look out for artificial sweeteners in ingredient lists. Some artificial sweeteners need to be used with caution. As always talk to a health professional before you make any changes.
 
There is strong evidence to show that if you are experiencing macular degeneration symptoms, taking specific eye health nutrients can slow the progression of the disease and even improve vision. 

If you don’t have macular degeneration symptoms, it’s well worth strengthening and protecting your eyes now! Start taking  Visulyn,  and take note of all our tips for your eye health.

Technorati Tags: amd, antioxidant nutrition, eye health, Macular Degeneration Symptoms

Yesterday (January 12) we looked at the role of antioxidant nutrition in eye health. Here’s some more about specific antioxidants that are important for macular degeneration symptoms.

Are you getting enough Vitamin C?

Vitamin C is not made or stored in the body. It is essential every day to eat vitamin C-rich foods – citrus fruits, berries, green vegetables and new potatoes – &/or take a quality vitamin C supplement in powder form or in a multivitamin or formula. 500 mg a day is recommended for macular degeneration symptoms.

Vitamin C is needed for immune, adrenal and antioxidant functions, for repair of connective tissue and for removing toxins from the body.

Vitamin E prevents cell membrane damage. It’s fat-soluble but not stored for long in the body so it too needs to be taken every day. Vitamin E (tocopherol) is found in oils and nuts. AREDS, the Age Related Eye Disease Study, recommends 400 IU daily.

Look for these special antioxidants for the health of your eyes, and make sure you eat or take a variety of nutrients for best antioxidant nutrition.

Support your healthy diet with a supplement specifically for macular degeneration symptoms and eye health.

Technorati Tags: age related eye disease, antioxidant nutrition, AREDS, Macular Degeneration Symptoms

Antioxidants scavenge and destroy harmful reactive oxygen molecules in our bodies. They work hard to support our health and immune systems, particularly in times of stress, pollution, smoking (active or passive) and poor or harmful diet. Antioxidant nutrition is essential for energy, health and youth – which is why it’s considered ‘anti-ageing’.

More antioxidant nutrition tips tomorrow (January 13) – or click here.

Technorati Tags: anti-ageing, antioxidant nutrition, eye health, Lutein, Zeaxanthin