AMD

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ihorne2013
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Joined: Wed Apr 17, 2013 9:52 pm
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by ihorne2013 on Wed Apr 17, 2013 9:58 pm

AMD

I am very interested in age related macular degeneration and was wondering how much of a role nutrition has in its development ?

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Mr James McAllister
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Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2013 5:48 pm
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by Mr James McAllister on Wed Apr 17, 2013 11:50 pm

Re: AMD

AMD (or age related macular degeneration) and the role of nutrition?
A good question and one that requires more research.
There are several types of AMD , commonly simplified into 'wet ' and 'dry' depending on tests to show whether their is leakage into the macula . The macula you may know is the central part of the retina (the film in the camera that lines the back of the eye) and is responsible for detailed central vision such as reading and good colour vision.
Modern treatment with injectable drugs can stabilise wet AMD .(often presenting with distortion when reading`)and early presentation to your eye doctor is important.
With dry AMD( unless it changes to wet) studies suggest diet containing anti-oxidants as well as additional
vitamin supplements with Lutein and trace elements ,copper and zinc are now available in pharmacies and health stores and MAY slow down the progression of central vision loss.
Because the rate of deterioration varies so much and can be very slow(years),as well as rapid,long term studies with large numbers are relatively few and much more work on helpful nutrients is needed.
To conclude what could be a huge topic it is important for sufferers to know that their peripheral vision( for navigation) is not normally affected ,and new treatments are evolving which may give further hope.
If you are involved in nutritional research this is certainly an area of work to be encouraged.
Mr James McAllister
Ophthalmic Surgeon

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