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Failing Eyesight is Not an Inevitable Part of Aging

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Do you remember the first time you laid eyes on your child or your grandchild? Unfortunately, millions of older Americans are being robbed of that experience due to the onset of macular degeneration. Americans are living longer than ever before and as we grow older, age-related health issues occur throughout the body, including the eyes. The older we become, the more prone we are to cataracts, macular degeneration and glaucoma. More than 10 million Americans are affected by macular degeneration every year and it is the leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 55. Women have a greater degree of probability for developing macular degeneration than men, and over age 75 this risk increases to double that of men. A decrease in estrogen after menopause appears to be the contributing factor.

Because traditional medicine is not always effective at restoring eyesight, many people are turning to alternative health practices to deal with the devastating effects of macular degeneration. Fortunately, there are many supplements on the market today that can vastly improve eye health and help prevent vision loss.

Good nutrition, plenty of exercise, protecting the eyes from the sun and refraining from smoking play essential roles in protecting eyesight. Nutritional supplements may also be helpful according to a recent report from the Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). In this study people who received antioxidant supplements had a 25 percent reduction in the development of macular degeneration.

Adult Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a progressive deterioration of the macula, the central portion of the retina. The condition is not painful, but it causes the cells in the macula to die. Because the macula is responsible for high resolution visual acuity in the central field of vision, people with AMD often cannot make out the face of a person, but may be able to see objects in the background.

Because there are so many eye health supplements on the market, it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you. Make sure the supplement that you choose contains (at a minimum) the following ingredients:

• Lutein – increases macular pigment levels, protects against oxidative damage
• Vitamin E – a major free radical neutralizer
• Vitamin C – helps build collagen fibers
• Alpha Lipoic Acid – a powerful antioxidant, plus it increases the potency of vitamins E and C
• Zinc Oxide – provide excellent protection against UVA, UVB and UVC rays
• Selenium Yeast – an essential micronutrient and excellent free radical neutralizer
• Beta-Carotene – a carotenoid/antioxidant, for overall eye health and night vision oxygen to the cells of the eyes
• Astaxanthin – an oxygenated carotenoid, a powerful antioxidant, enhances vitamins E and C
• Lecithin – a phospholipid and a primary building block of all cellular membranes in the body
• Choline – for nerve transmission, and helps remove fat and cholesterol build-up from the body
• Magnesium – helps to regulate the outflow of aqueous humor from the inner eye

As with all diseases, prevention and early detection are two of the biggest contributors to the best possible outcome. If you have blurred central vision, have difficulty seeing detail or have diminished color vision you should contact your eye doctor immediately for an exam. Regular comprehensive eye exams can detect macular degeneration in its very early stages, well before the disease causes vision loss. Make sure that you have regular eye exams, especially if you are 50 years old or older. Start taking supplements today to help prevent the heartbreaking symptoms of macular degeneration from taking hold.