Snapshot of macular degeneration and treatment suggestions

It is often thought that when you are diagnosed with macular degeneration it means you will inevitably lose your eyesight, but thankfully this is not necessarily the case. The word degeneration means the ‘deterioration of a tissue or an organ in which its function is diminished or its structure is impaired’ which in itself conjures a grim image. The macula is a small area near the center of the retina; therefore macular degeneration means the deterioration of the cells of the Macular.

Macular degeneration affects central vision but not your peripheral vision and there are two types - dry and wet. 90% of people with macular degeneration have the dry variety with the symptom being yellow spots forming underneath the macular. Sometimes this dry type can evolve into more serious and severe wet type, which causes blood vessels in the eye to grow toward the macular, which in turn causes rapid vision loss.

Sadly at present there are no cures for macular degeneration. This highlights the importance of prevention or should it be too late for this, then action is needed to slow down its progression. It is generally recognised by the medical establishment and eye specialists throughout the world that antioxidants play a vital role in eye care and protection. They recommend high doses of the most popular antioxidants like Vitamin C & E along with zinc, copper and beta carotene. The importance of Green Tea and Omega Oils certainly should not be overlooked as more and more clinical studies are proving their benefits for excellent eye health. Of course the best way to deal with an eye problem is to use an antioxidant specifically designed to be delivered into the area of the eye where needed. N-acetyl-carnosine (NAC) is a super antioxidant specifically formulated for such delivery via an eye drop (Can-C).

Should you experience any of the following symptoms seek medical advice promptly. Symptoms of macular degeneration include:

Straight lights looking wavy,

Colors looking less vibrant or dull,

The blurring of shapes,

Difficulty when reading due to blurring of words,

Blank or foggy areas in your central vision.

Some doctors are attempting to treat macular degeneration with laser surgery but this comes with many potential serious complications (as does all laser surgery according to this author – buyer beware!). In fact The National Eye Institute has stated that treatment with laser can make vision problems worse for those suffering with macular degeneration.

Other methods presently being used to help with the symptoms of macular degeneration are Photodynamic Therapy and the use of injectable antiangiogenesis drugs. Please consult your medical professional before making your informed judgement.

Those with high blood pressure, diabetics with poor blood sugar control and smokers are at the highest risk.

This author recommends you have a yearly eye check and start your antioxidant regime.