Posts Tagged ‘macula’

How to Maintain the Health of Our Eyes?

Our eyes are vulnerable to some diseases as we age. When we are over forty, we may suffer from presbyopia; when we are over fifty, we may suffer from Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), which can always lead to irreversible blindness. Here we are going to introduce something about AMD and some methods of prevention. The mechanism of AMD is the blood vessels in our eyes may become very fragile and the blood flow into our eye tissues. The most direct result is blurriness as a result of macular degeneration. However, as the conditions get even worse, our eyes will be in complete blindness.

That’s to say; once the macular is damaged or thinned, our vision will be influenced. The reason is our retinas are protected by the macular pigment from coming light. The thinner our macular pigment is, the worse our eyes are.

In fact, some substances play very important role in the protection of our eyes. For example, Lutein is a very effective antioxidant substance than are very useful in the protection of macula.

The scientists have not found such a method currently that can be employed in the cure of Macula Degeneration. But prevention is much important than treatment. Some very common methods can be used for the prevention of such diseases. Following are they.

We should first know what AMD is and what the cause of it is. Some bad habits can reduce the density of macula pigment. Such as, smoking and drinking alcohol can be very irritating for the macula; working under too bright light, as the sun and computer, can also reduce the density of the pigment. As mentioned above that lutein is very effective antioxidant substance which can help slow the process of macula degeneration. In this sense, it is very essential for us to intake foods that are abundant with lutein.

In fact, other materials can also help to slow the process of AMD. Thus, we should intake more other vitamins and mineral, while ingesting lutein.

Some eye doctors recommend that there are four substances that are vital for the health of our eyes.

The first one is, no doubt, lutein that is a kind of very effective antioxidant substance. It is very nice for us to use some lutein pills that are extracted from marigold plant. It is true that these pills are expensive, but effective.

The matter of fragility in the blood vessels can also be prevented by taking Bilberry in which flavanoids and anthocyanin are contained. Our eye muscles can be benefited a lot from this substance. Taking such pills everyday is essential.

The problem of bad elasticity in the blood vessels can also be avoided by intaking some grape seeds extract. If our blood vessels lose their elasticity, we will suffer a lot. These pills can help prompt the circulation of our blood. Take some everyday.

The commonest Vitamin C is still very important, for it is essential for the synthesis of some tissues. Like lutein, it is also an antioxidant substance. Take some Vitamins C pills everyday.

more related article

·Vitamin C and bioflavonoid for healthy eyes

·Attach Importance of Eye Health Maintenance

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MP density and AMD

Found in the macula, the macular pigment (MP) consists of two pigments or carotenoids: lutein and zeaxanthin. MP is most dense in the center of the macula named fovea. Moreover, these two pigments have different concentration is different parts of the eye. Lutein makes up 67% or greater of the MP in the peripheral retina. But in the central macula, zeaxanthin is the majority that it accounts for up to 75% of the MP.

MP in the eyes can protect them from harmful effects or free radicals caused by excessive exposure to UV rays and blue light. In detail, the two pigments of MP can help prevent age-related macular degeneration. In general, there are two ways to get enough lutein and zeaxanthin. A balanced diet with plenty of green vegetables and fruits as well as dietary supplements of the two nutrients can both offer enough MP.

As supplements are one of the main sources of MP, there are many studies focusing on these supplements as well as their effects. One study named enhancement of macular pigment density by oral lutein supplement (EMPOLS) conducted by researchers in Berne, Switzerland evaluates the relation between MP density and intake of supplements containing lutein. Participants of this study consume 10mg of lutein supplement product labeled VitaluxPlus on a daily basis.

Another observation study named the role of macular pigment in patients with age-related macular degeneration is also being carried out in Switzerland. Expected to complete in December 2009, this study has several purposes. First one is to assess how MP density and its distribution are associated with age-related macular degeneration. A second aim is to identify patients with low MP density. The study is still supposed to improve the early diagnosis of patients susceptible to AMD. Since low MP values are high risks of AMD, the observation study will develop a basis for dietary supplementation of lutein and zeaxanthin.

A balanced diet beneficial to eye health should contain many foods. Lutein is one of the critical elements. Many sources are rich in lutein, including corn, eggs, spinach, carrots, cantaloupe, oranges, red and orange peppers, kale, and collard greens and so on. In order to facilitate the absorption of lutein through the digestive tract, it is also necessary to eat some healthy fat in combination with those raw vegetables.

More related articles

·AMD treatments that are under trials and researches

·FDA-approved treatments for AMD

·Various ways to prevent AMD

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Causes and treatments for macular degeneration

Just as the name reflects, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has been a severe eye disease among people over 65. The estimated number of AMD affected Americans is 3 million by 2020. As a part of the retina, macula is responsible for sharp and central vision, so that AMD may lead to vision loss.

There are generally two types: dry AMD and wet AMD, the former of which accounts for about 85-90 percent. Obvious symptoms of dry AMD include yellowish spots from deposits or debris from deteriorating tissue around the macula. Both macular tissue aging and thinning and pigment depositing can lead to dry AMD. Studies show that vitamin A, C and E may help prevent or slow progression of dry AMD. Dry AMD patients are also advised to wear sunglasses when outdoors. People with wet AMD have more severe problems: new blood vessels grow beneath the retina and leak blood and fluid, which damage light-sensitive retinal cells. Wet AMD is caused by the body’s misguided attempt to supply more nutrients and oxygen to the retina, which instead causes scarring and potential vision loss. Occult wet AMD has light blood leakage and less vision loss danger, while classic wet AMD has clear scarring and more vision loss danger.

If you have AMD, your central vision has shadowy areas. During a retinal exam, the doctor may detect early signs of AMD and then an Amsler grid can be used to measure your central vision. For a further affirmation, your retinal blood vessels surrounding the macula will be examined. Many researches have showed that macular degeneration is mostly caused by aging and eye tissue deterioration. Other confirmed or potential risk factors for AMD include drug side effects, smoking, family ADM history, high blood pressure, lighter eye color, obesity, over-exposure to UV lights, fat diet and so on.

AMD-affected people in their 90 develop vision loss at a possibility that is 15 times of that for people in their 60s. And overweight patients have a risk of advanced ADM that is double of that for people with normal body weight. Gene variants are also related to AMD, which is known as family disease. Smoking is reported to bring higher rates of vision loss on ADM patients. AMD occurs more frequently in whites, so that people with lighter eye color are suspected to suffer AMD at a higher incidence. Toxic drugs such as Aralen and phenothiazine may cause side effects that lead to AMD.

Currently, no outright cure is available for AMD. For dry AMD, FDA has never approved any treatment, although nutritional intervention may slow its progression. Those nutrients include zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin and vitamin A, C, and E. For wet AMD, FDA has approved drugs including Lucentis, Macugen and Visudyne to stop or slow abnormal blood vessel growth.

Since complete recovery from vision loss caused by ADM is impossible, regular Amsler grid tests are useful to detect underlying AMD risk. For people with vision loss, many low vision devices such as magnifying glasses are available.

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