Overview
One of the most prevalent causes of visual loss in persons 60 years of age and beyond is age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). ARMD damages the macula, a small yet crucial region of the retina that is in charge of sharp vision of fine details. Once the macula is injured, the core of our visual field can appear blurry, distorted, or darkish. This can make it difficult to read, write, drive, or recognize faces, among other everyday tasks.
Making modest lifestyle modifications could help reduce the development of the illness in some cases where early age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), for which there is no medical ARMD treatment, develops into intermediate and late ARMD. Although adopting some of these activities can help you live a healthier life and protect your eyesight, lifestyle changes alone cannot treat macular degeneration.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration Stages
There are two types of ARMD which are wet ARMD and dry ARMD. The normal tissue that makes up the macula is slowly harmed in dry ARMD owing to wear as well as tear, and as a result, a region of loss of visual function results. All patients begin with dry ARMD, and 10% will eventually develop wet ARMD. In wet ARMD, systems of fragile new arteries develop beneath the retina, posing a significant danger of rupture or blood leakage into the retina anywhere at any time, which might result in an immediate loss of vision. Both disorders have a late-stage risk for vision loss.
For wet ARMD treatment, Anti-VEGF medications are injected intravitreally. The course of dry ARMD can be slowed down with dietary and lifestyle changes, but there is presently no solution for the condition. Low vision solutions can enhance central vision in people who unavoidably incur vision loss.
ARMD Treatment Through Lifestyle Changes
Nutritional supplements are routinely recommended to patients who have been given a diagnosis of mild to chronic dry ARMD and wet ARMD since research suggests they can halt the disease’s development. However, the choice of healthful eating and way of life can lead to identical consequences.
1. Antioxidant-rich diet
Antioxidants help shield cells against uncontrolled radicals, increasing cancer risk and other illnesses. A diet rich in antioxidants can also improve overall health and well-being. It is believed that some antioxidants, particularly carotenoids, can lessen the impact of free radicals upon macular pigmentation and may impact the beginning or advancement of ARMD.
2. Giving up smoking
The progression and development of macular degeneration, particularly ARMD, are significantly influenced by cigarette smoking. Smokers have at least a two-fold increased chance of getting ARMD compared to nonsmokers, making it the most significant possible risk element for the condition.
3. Weight management
There have been conflicting results on the relationship between weight and ARMD, especially given that being overweight also carries additional risks for heart disease and high blood pressure. Increased physical exercise may work as a preventative measure against ARMD, while more studies must be done on weight, Obesity, and their relationship to the condition.
4. Blood pressure control
As previously established, Obesity, inactivity, and a wide range of other factors, including smoking, are linked to excessive blood pressure or stress. Reduced choroidal blood circulation, which has been linked to ARMD development, has also been linked to it. The chance of ARMD and other retina illnesses, including diabetic retinopathy, increases the longer a person has high blood pressure.
5. Using sun protection and sunglasses
All people should take precautions to shield their bodies and eyes from UV rays from the sun, but those who have ARMD or Stargardt illness should take extra care. UV rays can cause cataracts, ARMD, and even worsen Stargardt if it already exists. Using black glasses or a hat with a wide brim might help reduce UV exposure when walking outside and staying in the sunlight. While it may seem unnecessary to wear UV protection on overcast days, UV rays can penetrate clouds. As a result, you should always wear it.
6. Low-vision gadget
Even though a visual impairment might be terrible, numerous adaptive tools available to you might enable you to preserve your freedom and engage in many of your favorite activities. You can adjust to your everyday routines with low vision aids such as reading glasses with powerful lenses, video magnifying glasses, reading material with giant print, talking watches and clocks, and laptops with speech-to-text and large font systems.
Conclusion
An aspect of ARMD treatment is making lifestyle changes. Even while they are insufficient to treat the condition and cannot stop it from progressing, these measures may enable you to become more involved in your health and well-being, adjust to vision modifications, and reduce the disease’s development. For proper treatment, you may also go for ayurvedic treatment, which has significant results in treating ARMD. An Ayurvedic hospital in India, Prakash Nethralaya, provides care for various eye and general diseases.
