Early Macular DegenerationEarly macular degeneration is the first stage of dry macular degeneration. Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is a breakdown of the layers of tissue in the macula , the center of the retina, and a dying of the photoreceptor cells responsible for our detailed and straight ahead vision.
1. Dry Age Related Macular Degeneration and If you have been diagnosed with this stage of AMD, it is a wake-up call for you to be proactive in protecting your retinal health. Get educated now on diet, supplements and protecting your eyes. It is much easier to work on preventing the progression of this eye disease than it is to treat later stages.
Stages of Macular DegenerationEarly macular degeneration is the first stage of dry macular degeneration (AMD). The three stages are:1) Early AMD √ Several small or a few medium-sized drusen drusen in one or both eyes. √ No symptoms and no vision loss
2) Intermediate AMD
√ Many medium sized drusen or one or more large, irregular shaped soft drusen √ May experience symptoms of distorted vision or straight lines appear wavy; blurred or blind spot √ May need more light to see
3) Advanced AMD - is either: √ A break-down of light sensitive cells and supporting tissue in the central retinal area (advanced dry form), or √ Abnormal and fragile blood vessels under the retina (wet form). To read more about wet macular degeneration click here:
Wet Macular Degeneration
Symptoms of Early Macular DegenerationIn early AMD there are no symptoms or vision loss. Usually the first indication of changes occurring in your eye is the presence of drusen , yellow deposits under the retina.The ophthalmologist will note this. The size and number of drusen will need to be monitored. Many people over the age of 60 will have some drusen, but not everyone with drusen will develop symptoms of AMD. However the presence of these yellow deposits means that the delivery of nutrients and wastes by the
retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)
(RPE) is not working at its best. When the waste accumulates under the retina, drusen are formed.
Early Macular Degeneration Treatment
Although there is no actual medical treatment for early macular degeneration, there are things you can do to prevent or slow down the progression of this retinal disease. You can:
1) Protect your eyes with sunglasses and hats or visors.
To read more about what to look for in buying sunglasses
click here:
Sunglasses
2) Incorporate a macular degeneration diet. To read about what
foods are important to eat (and what foods to avoid)
for macular health click here:
Macular Degeneration Diet
3) Supplement with vitamins. To read more about the importance of antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin and the Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) click here: Macular Degeneration Vitamins 
4) Supplement with Omega-3s and stop eating unhealthy fats. You
probably have heard about the importance of antioxidants for
your eye health, but did you know about the important
role of healthy fats in slowing the progression of macular
degeneration? To read more about omega-3s click here:
Omega-3
4) If you are a smoker, quit smoking today. Smoking affects your vascular health, especially the tiny blood vessels in our retina. Click here to read more: Smoking and Macular Degeneration Go from Early Macular Degeneration to Dry Macular Degeneration
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