What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a deterioration or breakdown of the eye's macula. The macula is a small area in the retina – the bit of the eye that is sensitive to light – located right at the back of the eye.
The macula is the part of the retina that is responsible for your central vision, allowing you to see fine details clearly. This process is when millions of tiny cells change light into nerve signals that are sent to the brain to tell a person what they are seeing.
It is important for reading and driving and other activities that require you to have a sharp, straight ahead vision line. Reading and driving are daily tasks for most people which means deterioration in this area of the eye can make day-to-day living very hard for someone with AMD.
There are two types of AMD, dry and wet.
Dry = Macula
Dry AMD occurs when the light-sensitive cells in the macula slowly break down, gradually blurring central vision in the affected eye.
Wet = Retina
Wet AMD occurs when delicate, abnormal blood vessels form under the retina. These tend to be very fragile and often leak blood and fluid, causing the retina to distort or scar. Following this, damage to the macula occurs rapidly. With wet AMD, loss of central vision can occur quickly.
Stop Disease Progression With PreserVision
The progression of AMD can vary from healthy eyes to advanced progression. People affected with this condition may see a black like spot or blurriness in the middle focal point of their vision. Vision will become more distorted and potential loss of vision can occur in the advanced progression of AMD.
What will 2050 bring? It is Estimated 18 Million Will Have Macular Degeneration by 2050. Unfortunate uncontrollable factors that can put you at risk of AMD:
- Family History: The risk of AMD is three times higher if an immediate family member has the condition.
- Skin/eye color: People with light colored skin and eyes are more likely to develop AMD.
- Gender: Women get AMD more often than men.
I can understand as you read this, that you will be hopeful there is something you can do to reduce the risk for yourself. Obviously, leading a general healthy lifestyle, as always recommended to avoid all illness, is the best advice, but other more specific things you can work towards are:
Why does smoking effect AMD? Cigarette smoke can damage the retina and reduce blood flow to the eye.
- Schedule regular eye appointments
You may not immediately notice change in the eyes. A eye care professional will be able to pick up these changes, and should you be suffering with AMD, it will increase treatment options if the detection of AMD is caught early. As the condition is age related, it is important for everyone over the age of 65 to have regular eye screenings.
Fatty plaque deposits can be found in the eye, increasing the chances of AMD, if a person is to eat a diet high in fat.
Obesity, high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure may contribute to the development of advanced AMD.
- Protect your eyes when out and about
UV rays are very powerful and over-exposure to the sun can cause the progression of AMD to speed up. Wearing sunglasses with UV protection can protect your eyes when outside reducing the risk or AMD progression.
- Consider taking an AREDS formula eye vitamin like PreserVision AREDS 2 Formula
This vitamin contains nutrients recommended by doctors.
If you are doing all these things already, including a new vitamin into your diet might be the best option for you.
PreserVision: What Is AREDS Formula Eye Vitamin?
PreserVision is the doctor recommended eye vitamin and mineral supplement for people with moderate to advanced Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD).
It is the bestselling brand of eye vitamins, which is not available as a store brand, as PreserVision formulas cannot be found in any store brand vitamins.
Supplements By PreserVision
AREDS 2 Formula Soft Gels
This product contains lutein and zeaxanthin (replacing beta-carotene.)
The formula exactly matches the nutrient formula now recommended by the AMD experts at the National Eye Institute.
Ingredients: Ascorbic acid, gelatin, dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate, glycerin soybean oil, zinc oxide, marigold flower extract, soy lecithin, yellow beeswax, silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, cupric oxide, FD&C red 40, FD&C blue 1.§May be sourced from paprika fruit extract.
AREDS Formula Soft Gels & Tablets
This product is the actual supplement tested and clinically proven in the 2001 AREDS study to reduce the risk of progression in people with moderate-to-advanced AMD by 25%.
It is not recommended for current or former smokers.
Ingredients: Gelatin, Glycerin, Soybean Oil, Soy Lecithin, Yellow Beeswax, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide, FD&C Yellow #6, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Blue #1.
AREDS Lutein Soft Gels
This product is designed for current or former smokers and others who should avoid beta-carotene. In this formula, lutein replaces beta carotene.
All of the products should be taken, one tablet, twice a day with a full glass of water during a meal.
What Is beta-carotene?
Beta Carotene is an orange or red plant pigment found in carrots and many other plant structures. Smokers, former smokers and asbestos workers should avoid isolated beta-carotene supplements because of evidence that they could increase the risk of lung cancer.
Studies 1
The National Eye Institute sponsored major clinical studies to support the use and effect of PreserVision supplements. Both studies consisted of thousands of participants and were ongoing for 5 years. Study 1 in 2011 resulted in “AREDS formula” vitamins becoming recognized as standard of care by eye doctors for people with moderate to advanced AMD.
Study 2
iI 2013 was to see if adding other nutrients to the original AREDS antioxidant and zinc formula would further reduce the risk of advanced Age-related Macular Degeneration.
From this there was a suggestion to modify original AREDS supplement formula to remove beta-carotene.
Where can I buy PreserVision products?
- Online – Amazon
- Instore – Walmart, Target, Costco, Wallgreens and other leading retailers
