Macular degeneration represents the leading cause of blindness in people 60 years and older

Macular degeneration represents the leading cause of blindness in people 60 years and older.  The good news is that by using nutritional supplements and modifying risk factors the chances of developing this disabling problem can be reduced.  Furthermore, active research is underway that promises to give even better success in the effort to preserve vision.

This is an important problem to solve as approximately 10% of the population in this country between the ages of 66 to 74 already have some degree of macular degeneration and almost 1/3 of the population between 75 and 85 have it.  With 78 million baby boomers living in this country and the first of them turning 65 this past January, this amounts to a lot of visual disability.

People at greatest risk for macular degeneration are Caucasions, especially those with lighter eyes, women, and obviously increasing age.  While these risk factors cannont be modified others can, such as controlling obesity, careful control of blood lipids and cholesterol, avoiding smoking, and controlling high blood pressure.

Diet modification such as eating green, leafy vegetable, avoiding a diet rich in saturated fats, and eating foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids can help.  Furthermore, it has been shown that vitamins containing high doses of the  antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E as well as zinc and copper can be helpful.  Lutein and zeaxantine likewise show promise.