Cause of Macular Degeneration
Risk Factors That Will Contribute to Eyesight Loss
Sun Protection is a fact of life™
To say that there is only one cause of macular degeneration is tantamount to saying that normal human beings have only one eye.
However, modern science has yet to determine the specific origins of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) but it is known that as man ages, so does his risk for contracting the illness increase.
Of course, there are other risk factors that most patients can point as the cause of macular degeneration in their case. As early as today, it pays to know these risk factors that will contribute to your eyesight loss so as to adapt personal changes, when and where necessary.
What Are the Risk Factors Beyond Your Control?
Unfortunately, there are certain things about human beings that are beyond their control.
These include genetics, race and sex, all of which you are born into; you can try to lighten or darken your skin and change the appearance of the exterior body parts through plastic surgery, sex change operations and contact lens but you cannot alter your genetic constitution.
• As you age, you increase your chances of having macular degeneration
• When your family’s medical history reveals a family member with the disease, expect higher risks.
• Caucasians have higher chances of getting the eye disease than other races.
• Women are more likely to develop it than men.
• People with light-colored eyes have higher risks for AMD.
Thus, it is highly advisable to consult with your doctor regarding eye health when you fall into these categories.
What Are the Risk Factors In Your Control?
Fortunately, there are many more risk factors that can be controlled by the person himself. These involve lifestyle changes including exercise and diet, all of which will basically help you lead a healthier life and lessen one more cause of macular degeneration in your life.
• People with low level of nutrients are more prone to AMD. Thus, it is important take macular degeneration vitamins and supplements with antioxidants (Vitamins C, A and E) and zinc to support your macular degeneration diet that is rich in fruits and green leafy vegetables. You can even take supplements rich in lutein and omega-3 fatty acids for this purpose.
• Long periods of sun exposure increase the risk for AMD. Thus, always wear uv protection sunglasses to shield your eyes from the harmful rays of the sun, even in winter.
• Cigarette smoke likewise heightens the risks for AMD, which can be reduced simply by quitting the smoking habit! Not only will you have healthier lungs but your eyes will be better for it, too.
• Obesity not only leads to many diseases like diabetes but macular degeneration is also a clear possibility, pardon the pun. The above mentioned macular degeneration diet can help you attain and maintain your ideal body weight.
• Cardiovascular diseases like hypertension, heart attack history and coronary artery disease heighten your risk for AMD, which can be similarly lessened with the right macular degeneration diet and regular exercise.
Just keep in mind that the right macular degeneration information is of utmost importance. With it, you can plot your course of action together with your eye doctor. Ultimately, the only cause of macular degeneration you can honestly pinpoint to is your lack of information! After all, knowledge is power.
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