Summary
Though there are no known causes of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), there are some risk factors which can increase the chances of a person developing AMD as they age.
Causes of AMD
Although the exact causes of AMD are still being discovered, there are risk factors that can increase your likelihood of developing AMD, including:
- Your age: your risk increases the older you get.
- Genetics: family history may make you at higher risk of developing AMD.
- Smoking.
- Having heart disease and high cholesterol levels may also put you at higher risk.
- Some new evidence uncovered by the Macular Disease Foundation suggests more than approximately one standard drink per day was likely associated with higher risk of developing early AMD.
Reducing the risk of AMD
Although there is no cure for AMD, there are some ways that you can reduce your risk of developing AMD, including:
- Eating a nutrient-rich diet with lots of dark, leafy greens, yellow fruits and vegetables, and healthy omega-3 fats which can be found in fish or walnuts.
- Avoiding or quitting smoking.
- Limit alcohol intake.
- Protecting your eyes from the sun.
- Having regular eye tests.
- Letting your relatives know about their family history so they too can monitor for early signs of AMD.
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise and keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol under control.
For more information
- Talk to your eye care professional.
- Visit Macular Disease Foundation.
Always speak to your GP and eye care professional about the best treatment options for you.
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