Understanding The Macular Degeneration And How Macular Supplements Can Help

Age-related macular degeneration (MD), also referred to as AMD, is a form of vision loss and affects the macula part of the eye or eyes. It is the leading cause of blindness and severe vision loss in most western countries. Usually affecting people aged 65 or above, this is a more serious eye condition than some other complaints and eye conditions. But with macular supplements, the patients have somewhere to get help.

Aging makes a particular person gradually lose his or her senses including eyesight. Vision is probably one of the most important out of all the senses that people have, and yet the aging process causes it to deteriorate eventually, which may lead to blindness.

Risk factors include a family history, old age and a specific gene that greatly increases the danger of acquiring the disease. MD symptoms include blurred vision, distorted vision, inability to identify certain color variations, and lack of contrast sensitivity.

Signs of MD begin with yellow deposits developing in the central area of the retina. The technical term for this area is the drusen. It is advised after the age of 50 to get your eyes checked at least twice a year due to the fact that MD strikes many people with good vision. Having good eyesight is no indicator that you will not develop the disease.

The causes of this problem can range from person to person. For some it will simply be age. It is well-known the people over the age of 55 suffer more eyesight issues and vision loss than younger people. As we age, our body is less able to repair vital systems and therefore our eyesight can suffer.

A person's skin, hair, and eyes contain melanin, which offers protection against harmful rays. While many researchers have gathered data on the topic, no concrete conclusions have linked exposure to the sun with this eye condition. However, it is a proven fact that melanin decreases with age, putting people at higher risk of ultraviolet light damage. Wear UV sunglasses as you age to make up for your body's decreased melanin and keep your eyes protected.

Preventing the symptoms of MD could be as easy as taking an antioxidant supplement. Antioxidants are those substances like vitamins, which work to combat the negative effects of free radicals such as those found in air pollution. Examples of antioxidants are Vitamins A, C, and E.

Age-Related MD treatments also include experimental surgical procedures. New surgeries are being tried in an attempt to remove abnormal blood vessels in the eye. Other surgical techniques are directed at the abnormal blood vessels which are located right in the center of the macular.

Lifestyle choices also play a part, and smoking is way up there as a well-known cause of all types of MD. Obesity can be another contributing factor. If you have been exposed to lots of sunlight, through your career or perhaps you live nearer the equator then this puts you in a higher risk category also.