Dr. Kayla Bechthold Blog

My mom has macular degeneration. What can I do to prevent it?

Often patients ask what they can do to prevent macular degeneration. A parent or someone they know has been diagnosed with macular degeneration and has been started on AREDS eye vitamins, and they wonder if they should be taking eye vitamins too. Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that causes loss of the central vision. AREDS eye vitamins are suggested for those who have intermediate or advanced macular degeneration. But what if you don't have any signs of macular degeneration? What is suggested for everyone to prevent AMD?

First, keep yourself healthy. Controlling systemic conditions like hypertension, high cholesterol and obesity may help prevent macular degeneration.

Second, if you smoke, stop. Smoking is the largest modifiable risk factor for AMD. Smokers are 3-4x more likely to get AMD and the disease starts 5-10 years earlier than non-smokers.

Third, watch your diet. A study in the American Journal of Ophthalmology in 2019 showed that 2 servings per day of vegetables, 2 servings per day of fruit and 2-3 servings of fish per week significantly reduced risk of AMD. The vegetables best to add: broccoli, peppers, spinach, sweet potatoes, spinach, kale, collards. Fruits best to eat: apricots, cantaloupe, oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes. Fish high in omega 3's like herring, wild salmon, blue fin tuna and mackerel are best for the eyes. What if you can't stand fish? Nuts and seeds are a nice alternative: almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, peanuts, or walnuts are good options. An October 2024 study in the Journal of Nutrition showed that eating 2 ounces of pistachios daily increased macular pigment optical density and serum lutein levels- both are protective to the macula.

Taking a few steps to keep your general health in check are also great to keep your macula healthy too! Studies come out every month with new information, stay tuned to the blog to learn more!