AMD; have you heard of it? No it’s not the latest dance act from Europe or a new tween actor, AMD (or Age-related macular degeneration) is a serious eye condition that is a leading cause of blindness in the UK. According to a study by the College of Optometry, 50% of British adults have never heard of AMD, which considering the severity of the condition, is concerning.
Age-related Macular Degeneration is a condition which affects an area of the retina, at the back of the eye, called the macular. As this are degenerates your central vision can become distorted and blurry, or even over time a blank patch.
There are commonly two types of AMD – wet and dry. Wet is less common and develops rapidly, whereas dry AMD develops gradually and can be diagnosed in the early stages. Neither can be treated though, but detecting the early signs of AMD means that support can be sought and put in place.
Whilst there is no cure or treatment, certain things have been said to help minimise your chances of developing the condition. As we’ve discussed previously in this blog, diet can have an impact on the health of your eyes and eating green veg, oily fish may help to slow down the development of the condition. Smoking also has an impact, doubling your chances of developing AMD.
Regular eye examinations are essential in checking the overall health of your eyes and monitoring any potential deterioration. Dr Susan Blakeney, optometric adviser to the College of Optometrists "I also recommend to patients that they regularly check the vision in each eye separately so that they can spot early changes. It is easy to do and only takes a couple of seconds, yet it could save your sight. You can do it by looking at a bit of graph paper and checking if you see any distortion or blank spots."
If you are concerned about AMD, or want to find out more visit NHS Choices or call 0845 601 3479 to book an appointment with one of our qualified Optometrists.
Showing posts with label eye health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label eye health. Show all posts
Wednesday, 26 October 2011
Monday, 7 February 2011
Can your diet effect your sight?
We all know that a good diet means good health, but can what you eat have an impact on your eyes?
It has been suggested that certain foods, such as vegetable, fish, nuts and spices all contribute to the overall health of your eyes. Obviously you can’t beat regular eye tests to keep your eyes in tip top condition, but you can take little steps to help them be at their best.
Top 10 Foods for your Eyes
1.Dark Chocolate = Yes, it’s true, chocolate is good for you! Dark chocolate is high in anti-oxidants and flavanoids which your eyes need to makes sure that the cells of the retina get the nutrients required to keep working. The higher the purity of the chocolate, the better it is, so try to go for 60% purity or above for maximum impact
2. Carrots = an oldie, but a goodie. Carrots might not give you night vision, but they are packed with beta-carotene, vitamin A and vitamin C, all of which are needed by the retina to help with low light vision and colour vision.
3. Leafy greens = Spinach, chard, kale; all of these are great sauces of vitamins and minerals. They’re also full lutein and zeaxanthin which is used by the retina at the back of the eye for clear vision.
4. Cold water fish = Research shows strong links between the lack of glaucoma in Inuit communities and oily fish. Their diet of fish, such as salmon, sardines and tuna is rich in omega-3.
5. Eggs = Containing high levels of zinc, eggs are great for supporting your retinal health. They’re also high in cholesterol, so eat in moderation!
6. Berries = Blueberries and bilberries in particular are another great source of anti-oxidants. Plenty of excuse to go for that a chocolate and blueberry muffin... although fresh berries in a non-cake setting are preferable!
7. Nuts = Nuts contain high levels of zinc and vitamin E. Vitamin E helps to protect the membrane of cells and, like leafy greens, has been shown to help prevent cataracts and macular degeneration.
8. Garlic = Not just good for warding off vampires, garlic has long been suggested to promote blood flow and keep your blood vessels healthy. It is also thought that it could strengthen lenses through a high sulphur content.
9. Citrus fruit = Oranges, lemons, limes are all crammed full of vitamin C, helping keep your retina, lenses and cornea healthy. As the eye contains the highest concentrations of vitamin C found in the human body, it is vital to keep your levels topped up.
10. Herbs and spices = Parsley, oregano and turmeric are amongst the herbs and spices that have been linked to visual health, and they make your food extra tasty!
So all in all, eating healthily can have lot of advantages for your eyes, as well as the rest of your body – and it doesn’t have to be boring! Just looking at the wide range of ingredients above, there’s plenty there to produce healthy, tasty meals which will make your optometrist smile next time you pop in for an eye test.
Visit some of the websites below to find out more about the links between food and eyesight:
The College of Optometrists
British Journal of Opthamology
NHS
It has been suggested that certain foods, such as vegetable, fish, nuts and spices all contribute to the overall health of your eyes. Obviously you can’t beat regular eye tests to keep your eyes in tip top condition, but you can take little steps to help them be at their best.
Top 10 Foods for your Eyes
1.Dark Chocolate = Yes, it’s true, chocolate is good for you! Dark chocolate is high in anti-oxidants and flavanoids which your eyes need to makes sure that the cells of the retina get the nutrients required to keep working. The higher the purity of the chocolate, the better it is, so try to go for 60% purity or above for maximum impact
2. Carrots = an oldie, but a goodie. Carrots might not give you night vision, but they are packed with beta-carotene, vitamin A and vitamin C, all of which are needed by the retina to help with low light vision and colour vision.
3. Leafy greens = Spinach, chard, kale; all of these are great sauces of vitamins and minerals. They’re also full lutein and zeaxanthin which is used by the retina at the back of the eye for clear vision.
4. Cold water fish = Research shows strong links between the lack of glaucoma in Inuit communities and oily fish. Their diet of fish, such as salmon, sardines and tuna is rich in omega-3.
5. Eggs = Containing high levels of zinc, eggs are great for supporting your retinal health. They’re also high in cholesterol, so eat in moderation!
6. Berries = Blueberries and bilberries in particular are another great source of anti-oxidants. Plenty of excuse to go for that a chocolate and blueberry muffin... although fresh berries in a non-cake setting are preferable!
7. Nuts = Nuts contain high levels of zinc and vitamin E. Vitamin E helps to protect the membrane of cells and, like leafy greens, has been shown to help prevent cataracts and macular degeneration.
8. Garlic = Not just good for warding off vampires, garlic has long been suggested to promote blood flow and keep your blood vessels healthy. It is also thought that it could strengthen lenses through a high sulphur content.
9. Citrus fruit = Oranges, lemons, limes are all crammed full of vitamin C, helping keep your retina, lenses and cornea healthy. As the eye contains the highest concentrations of vitamin C found in the human body, it is vital to keep your levels topped up.
10. Herbs and spices = Parsley, oregano and turmeric are amongst the herbs and spices that have been linked to visual health, and they make your food extra tasty!
So all in all, eating healthily can have lot of advantages for your eyes, as well as the rest of your body – and it doesn’t have to be boring! Just looking at the wide range of ingredients above, there’s plenty there to produce healthy, tasty meals which will make your optometrist smile next time you pop in for an eye test.
Visit some of the websites below to find out more about the links between food and eyesight:
The College of Optometrists
British Journal of Opthamology
NHS
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