Macular Degeneration Prevention for Children with Family History

by Sara
(United States)

I am 30 years old. I was diagnosed with macular degeneration on Friday, 8/27/09. My ophthalmologist said it is probably hereditary due to my age. I am adopted and do not have access to my medical history. What do I do to protect my sons, ages 5 and 1? Thank you.

ANSWER

Hi Sara,

Thank you for question. It must have been quite a surprise to hear of your diagnosis of macular degeneration at such a young age. Did you even know what it was before you saw your ophthalmologist? Most people your age have rarely heard about it.

Great question regarding your children because the lifetime risk of developing late-stage macular degeneration is 50% for people who have a relative with macular degeneration vs 12% for people who's relatives do not have macular degeneration (4x the risk).

And if you have first-degree relatives with late-stage macular degeneration you will develop macular degeneration at an increased rate at a younger age.

Arch Ophthalmol.1998;116:1646-51)

Now is the time to think about macular degeneration prevention for your boys.
Read my page on Macular Degeneration Prevention


If you like to read books, here are some recommended ones that I have read that will help you become more educated on the disease and prevention for your children:

Macular Degeneration Resource Books


Leslie Degner, RN, BSN

Macular Degeneration Prevention

by Gay
(United States)

Thanks for the free newsletter, Macular Degeneration News.

My mother has macular degeneration and I am terrified I am going to get it. She is almost blind, now 90 years old. Can you tell me if blueberry extract is helpful.

Any other advice of prevention would be most appreciated.

Thanks

Gay

REPLY

Hi Gay,

My husband is in the same situation you are. His dad who is 85 years old has wet macular degeneration that has greatly impacted his vision. Heredity does play a big role
in the development of AMD.

Anyone who has a parent or a sibling with age related macular degeneration are at a higher risk of developing this macular eye disease.

Diet and nutrition can play a role in helping to delay or possibly prevent AMD. However, taking a supplement like blueberry extract or even macular degeneration vitamins may be helpful but they are not magic bullets that can replace a healthy macular degeneration diet, exercise, and eye protection from the sun.

Yes, we love blueberries at our house, we even have 8 blueberry plants. Although I am not familiar with a single ingredient blueberry extract, we do take a concentrated Fruits N Greens powder that has organic blueberries, cranberries, kale, parsley, ginger and lots of other great ingredients.

You are on the right path to look at how you can possibly delay or prevent your eyes from developing this macular disease. It is better to start now rather than later.

Kind Regards,

Leslie

Macular Degeneration Prevention - Supplements

by Lynn
(Endwell, NY)

I am a 60 yr. old female whose 89 yr. old mother has macular degeneration in both eyes. Would it benefit me NOW to start taking supplements such as Lutein, Ocuvite, or Preservision? Thank you!

REPLY

Hi Lynn,

Here is what Dr. Landrum said about lutein.

“When we compared the amount of macular pigment, which is comprised of lutein and zeaxanthin, present in the eyes of people with age-related macular degeneration to people without the disease, those with the lowest levels of carotenoid accumulation in the outer retina were significantly more likely to suffer from age-related macular degeneration than those with higher pigment levels, ” said Dr. Landrum.

“The difference in risk between those having the highest and lowest levels was 75 percent.”

Dr. Landrum, Florida International University

Lutein cannot be manufactured by the body, so a person must get it from foods high in lutein or lutein supplements.

Interestingly, the The Age Related Eye Disease Study made conclusions on the affects of these macular degeneration vitamins on the progression of this eye disease in those who were diagnosed with AMD - not the prevention of AMD.

That's not to say you shouldn't take them, just that there isn't a study to report on.

However, there is research to support the role of Omega 3 fish oils.

According to Johanna M. Seddon, M.D., director of the Epidemiology Unit at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and an associate professor of ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School, and investigator, “We ... found that increased intake of fish reduced the risk of macular degeneration (AMD), particularly if they ate two more servings per week.

Dietary omega-3 fatty intake was also inversely associated with AMD. This observational study of twins provides further evidence that cigarette smoking increases risk while fish consumption and omega-3 fatty acid intake reduce risk of AMD.”

Hope this helps.

Kind Regards,

Leslie Degner, RN, BSN