Dry Macular Degeneration Treatment

Dry macular degeneration treatment options include healthy lifestyle choices, diet and nutrition. For the advanced stage of dry macular degeneration called geographic atrophy, eye implants are a possibility for select patients.

At this time there is no FDA approved dry macular degeneration treatment that can reverse your condition. However, there are actions you can take to halt or slow the progression of your retinal disease. They are:

Take Macular Degeneration Supplements

The National Eye Institute Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) has strong evidence that certain nutrients such as:

beta carotene

vitamins C and

vitamin E may help prevent or slow progression of dry macular degeneration.

The AREDS study indicates that taking high dose formulas of certain nutritional supplements, like Bausch and Lomb PreserVision AREDS Formula Eye Vitamins can reduce your risk of early stage AMD progression by 25 percent.

Include Foods Rich in Antioxidants

"Almost every single one of the risk factors we have for macular degeneration can be linked to free radicals," according to Dr. Lylas Mogk, Director of the Visual Rehabilitation and Research Center of the Henry Ford Health System.

Include foods high in antioxidants to counteract the effects of free radical damage to your cells.

Get Your Lutein and Zeaxanthin

Lutein and zeaxanthin are two compounds, called carotenoids, that are found in the macula. They are what gives the macula its pigment. This macular pigment helps to protect the macula from the damaging effects of blue light.

There are many studies linking the association between lutein and zeaxanthin with macular health. After reading more about these two critical carotenoids, my husband and I are making sure we include lutein rich foods in our diet.

Reduce Chronic Inflammation

Foods can be pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory. Chronic inflammation can lead to many degenerative diseases including dry macular degeneration.

Reduce inflammation by:

√ Reducing your consumption of processed food and foods high in sugar

√ Including two servings of cold water fish in your diet each week

Many of the foods in a anti-inflammatory diet will benefit not just your eyes but also put you on the right track for a healthy heart and brain.

Wear Blue Blocker Sunglasses

Protect your eyes with sunglasses that offer ultraviolet protection. The second strategy is to wear blue blocker sunglasses.

The color that blocks blue is yellow, so blue blockers must contain a yellow tint.

There are ready-made "NOIR" sunglasses that block blue and UV light with a variety of tints, including:

light yellow,

dark yellow, amber, and

plum.

Blue Blocker glasses are available as clip-ons, and as large plastic frames that fit over your regular glasses.

Two other lifestyle changes that greatly impact the health of the eyes include reducing and controlling high blood pressure and quitting smoking.

Implants for Advanced Dry AMD

The implantable macular degeneration telescope developed by CentraSight received FDA approval as of July 2010.

The implantable telescope helps to improve vision for those who have advanced dry macular degeneration.

CentraSight AMD Implant