How to ways to help prevent age related / senile macular degeneration.

You can't change your genetics. But you can control your environment and what your body is exposed to. Do your part to prevent this common aging condition.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. If you don't smoke, then avoid places with second hand smoke. If you smoke, QUIT !! Inhaled cigarette smoke creates free radicals in the body which causes tissue damage, atherosclerosis. These changes can affect the health of the macula.
2. Increase intake of anti-oxidants, in particular Lutein. Anti-oxidants reduce free radicals in the body to prevent tissue damage. Eat a VARIETY of fruits and vegetables that have high concentrations of anti-oxidants. Blueberries and green leafy vegetables have high concentrations of lutein.
3. If your diet is not varied or you can't fit fruits and vegetables into your diet, then take daily supplements. Bausch and Lomb's Ocuvite with Lutein daily supplement was used in an important landmark study and shown to be beneficial. It is over the counter and readily available at retail stores.
4. Use ultraviolet protection for your eyes. Be sure to get 100% UV coating (it's a clear coat) on your prescription glasses. Or wear sunglasses outdoors. Too much ultraviolet exposure to the eyes can cause retina tissue damage. Remember that ultraviolet is in the atmosphere even on a cloudy overcast day, not just on sunny days.
5. Exercise regularly. Proper circulation is important to keep eyes, retina, macula and other organs in your body healthy.

Tips & Warnings

• Bilberries may help health of peripheral retina but it does not help for central retina/macula and therefore will not help with macular degeneration.
• IF YOU ARE A SMOKER AVOID ANY SUPPLEMENT CONTAINING BETACAROTENE. READ THE LABEL TO CHECK. SMOKERS WHO TAKE BETACAROTENE SUPPLMENTS ARE AT INCREASED RISK OF GETTING LUNG CANCER.