Macular Degeneration News

Sun Protection is a fact of life™

With the latest macular degeneration news online and on medical journals, one can keep tabs of breakthroughs in this medical problem and get ideas to prevent this degenerative eye disease.

Frightening Statistics:

So you never knew it until the University of Washington presented alarming statistics on blindness in the US. The Macular degeneration news estimates that some 13 million people in the US have symptoms and 6,300,000 are projected to develop AMD or age-related macular degeneration in 2030. The projected figure is higher than 1995 1.7 million. If you think this cannot happen to you, think again.

Some 1,200,000 are in the later stages of this degenerative eye disease and the number blinded by macular degeneration is estimated at 230,000. To compound the issue, over half of those in their 50s are not aware of the threat of macular degeneration.

This dreadful condition is nothing to laugh at if you do not want to be afflicted with poor central vision in later years – you cannot read or see familiar faces only peripheral images. If this scares you enough, then keep abreast with the news on macular degeneration.

What is the Role of Vitamin B Supplements?

From Boston comes the good news that Vitamin B supplements may help prevent the onset of macular degeneration. Vitamin supplements that includes folic acid, vitamins B 12 and B 6 reduces the risk of age related macular degeneration or AMD and lowers the blood’s homocysteine levels which also causes heart disease.

This news is further bolstered with another claim from a new study concurring that vitamins, specifically Vitamin E and Vitamin C and oxidants play a significant role in protecting one’s vision from AMD. The study also recommended that the elderly avoid too much sun that can damage their eyesight.

The same study led Astrid Fletcher of London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine had a European-wide research with 5,000 people averaging 72 years in age participating.

In conclusion, the study recommended test screening and a diet targeting seniors who face the risk of AMD.

Macular Degeneration News on Treatment Options:

Macular degeneration does not only happen to seniors in their sixties but can have devastating effects on people in their twenties. A Leicestershire man, J. O was diagnosed with the disease when he was in his twenties.

To save his eyesight, the doctor suggested Avastin, a drug for bowel disease and cold lasers. Fortunately for him, the medication and the lasers worked. He can drive and do the usual things he enjoyed before – reading and recognizing familiar faces.

The association between Lutein and macular degeneration was discovered by a Harvard University team of Johanna Seddon M.D. and associates. Accordingly, taking 6 mg. of Lutein daily lowered the risk for the disease by 43%.

This conclusion was reached by her study on the ability of Lutein supplement to increase pigments in the macular area of the eye.

Lutein can be sourced from spinach, kale, broccoli, collards, corn and various fruits and this is available in gel capsules.

BE INFORMED AND STAY INFORMED with macular degeneration news to help you and your loved ones prevent the disease. You can always start yourself and your loved ones on vitamins that prevent the disease.

Check out the food supplements that prevent AMD and catch the latest news on the latest on macular degeneration treatment.

Join in and share your experience or story. How?
Simply click here to go to Macular Degeneration Stories