Age-Related Macular Degeneration - Dry

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the result of damage to the nerve cells in a small area at the back of the eye called the macula. AMD causes blurring of your central vision, making it harder to do things that require sharp vision such as reading, driving, and recognizing faces.

There are two types of macular degeneration - dry (atrophic) and wet (exudative). The dry form accounts for about 9 out of 10 cases of AMD. The wet form is much less common, but it happens more quickly and is more severe.

The dry form of macular degeneration occurs gradually and usually begins with the formation of tiny yellow deposits called “drusen” in the macula. Drusen usually do not cause serious loss of vision, but can cause distortion of vision. Sometimes drusen will cause the macula to thin and break down, slowly leading to vision loss.

Several factors are thought to play a part in the development of macular degeneration.
Those who are more likely to have AMD:

• Are older adults - the risk increases as you age, starting at around age 50.
• Have a close family member who has macular degeneration.
• Smoke.
• Eat a diet that is low in antioxidant vitamins (A,C,E) and the mineral zinc
• Don’t use a lutein supplement. Lutein is a plant nutrient deficient in most western diets.

Those with macular degeneration first notice dim or fuzzy central vision. Things may look warped or smaller than they really are, and they may notice a blank or blind spot in the center of their fields of vision. As the disease gets worse, those with AMD have trouble with tasks like reading and driving.

If you have the dry form of AMD, your vision will probably become blurry so slowly that you won't notice it for a long time. You may have dry macular degeneration for several years before it becomes apparent.

How is AMD diagnosed?

A doctor can usually detect AMD by doing a regular eye exam and asking questions about your past health. You may have some vision tests, including an ophthalmoscopy. This test lets the doctor look at the inside of your eye. If you have macular degeneration, your physician may see drusen, the yellowish waste deposits that build up at the back of the eye.

The doctor may have you look at a chart with lines and a dot at the center called an Amsler grid. It can help detect AMD or other changes in central vision.

Numerous studies have shown that the nutrient lutein is deposited in the macula and the lens of the eyes. Lutein is found in dark green leafy vegetables and egg yolks, but we don’t get enough of these…especially since we’re told egg yolks are laden with bad cholesterol. Researchers believe that taking lutein supplements can reduce the risk of AMD.

Växa’s homeopathic medicinal Ocu-Care+ contains lutein! This formula in capsule form is specifically targeted to protect eye health, and can be effective in macular degeneration treatment or as prevention. Ocu-Care+ is designed to keep eyes healthy by protecting against free radicals, diminishing inflammation and repairing and regenerating eye tissues.