AMD is an eye disease that blurs the central vision due to aging process. There are two types of AMD: dry and wet. The dry type accounts for most of the AMD cases (80-90%). Its cause is unknown and tends to progress slower than the wet type. The wet/exudative type affects only 10-15% of AMD cases but accounts for almost 90% of all severe vision loss cases. This is due to the abnormal blood vessels under the retina which tend to break, bleed and leak fluid, causing rapid and severe loss of central vision.
Stages of AMD
Common risk factors
•Age (>65)
•Family history
•Hypertension
•Cigarette smoking
•Overweight
•Excessive blue light exposure
Complications:
•Retinal detachment
•Depression
•Falls and fractures
•Abnormal blood vessels growth underneath retina
Food to Focus
•Colorful & leafy vegetables
•Fruits high in vitamin C (oranges)
•Fatty fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel)
Food to Avoid
•Processed snack food
•Fried food
Lifestyle Modifications
•Limit yourself from using digital devices
•Go for regular eye check-up
•Avoid driving at dark hours
•Use magnifiers to read small wordings
References
1. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD): Overview [Internet]. InformedHealth.org [Internet]. U.S. National Library of Medicine; 2018 [cited 2022Jan4]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK315804/
