Macular Degeneration: Natural Approaches To Eye Wellness

Macular degeneration is also known as AMD, which is an acronym for “Age-Related Macular Degeneration.” It is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. Limited conventional treatments are available. However, natural remedies can go a long way toward reducing the risk of AMD onset. They can help prevent AMD from progressing to the point of vision loss. And, in many cases, lifestyle considerations and targeted supplementation can improve vision loss from AMD.

What is Macular Degeneration?

AMD involves the gradual breakdown of cells in the macula, a small yellowish spot located near the center of the retina, which is crucial for sharp vision. This condition impacts central vision, affecting activities like reading, writing, driving, and recognizing faces. People with AMD may notice that straight lines appear distorted, clear shapes become fuzzy, lines look wavy, and a hazy area forms in the center of their vision. Typically, peripheral vision remains unaffected, except in severe cases where it can eventually lead to blindness.

There are primarily two types of macular degeneration, plus a third less-common genetic type called “Stargardt’s Disease.” Ninety percent of people with macular degeneration have the dry type, in which small yellow spots called drusen form underneath the macula. Drusen are debris naturally created on an ongoing basis in the retina as a result of the processing of light through the photoreceptor cells. In a healthy eye, the waste is fully re-absorbed and eliminated. In an eye with macular degeneration, the drusen that is not re-absorbed is deposited on the retina. It slowly breaks down the cells in the macula, causing distorted and blurry vision. In approximately ten percent of the cases, dry macular degeneration can progress to the second, more severe type called wet macular degeneration.

In the wet form of macular degeneration, unusual blood vessels start to develop near the macula. These vessels can leak blood and fluid, which can further damage the macula, potentially leading to quicker and more severe vision loss.

Detecting Macular Degeneration

The Amsler Grid is a simple yet powerful tool seniors can use to screen for macular degeneration at home. Regularly using the grid allows seniors to notice any distortions or blurriness in their vision quickly. Only a doctor can diagnose macular degeneration. Be sure to get regular dilated eye exams at the eye doctor’s office.

Conventional Treatment

There are currently no effective conventional treatments for dry macular degeneration. In cases of wet macular degeneration, the treatment typically involves anti-angiogenesis injections into the eye. The injected medicine helps to dry up the new, weak blood vessels that grow in the retina, giving the eyes time to re-absorb the excess fluid leakage. This is a more acute type of AMD. If not treated, it can result in rapid vision loss.

As always, prevention is the best medicine. Less than one percent of people with macular degeneration have progressed to the point of legal blindness. Therefore, most patients can benefit greatly from preventative measures, particularly in the earlier stages of the disease.

Preventative measures are also helpful for people at risk of developing AMD. The most important risk factors include being over 55, family history, smoking, obesity, and a diet high in fat and cholesterol while low in antioxidants and green leafy vegetables.

The good news is AMD is often very responsive to natural treatment strategies. Both major types of AMD are essentially, for most people, a form of “starvation of the retina.” When the retina is properly nourished, it can be rebuilt. Depending on the level of permanent vision loss, proper nourishment of the retina can even restore vision. Nourishing the retina requires a commitment to eating the right foods, exercising, taking targeted supplements, and proper use of acupuncture and Chinese medicinal herbs.

Complementary Approach

Therapeutic doses of certain supplements significantly reduce the risk of macular degeneration. They can also potentially improve vision in people who already have this condition. Essential antioxidants for retinal support and macular degeneration include: lutein, zeaxanthin, meso-zeaxanthin, astaxanthin, taurine, ginkgo biloba, bilberry, saffron, essential fatty acids and Vitamin D3.

Popular wild-crafted tinctures we offer include:

Dr. Grossman’s Retinal Support formula is a wild-crafted herbal formula. It is primarily a kidney spleen tonic to help support the retina and reduce general inflammation.

And

ReVision Formula, a wild-crafted herbal formula, is based on Relaxed Wanderer. It contains additional Western herbs for vision health, including bilberry, ginkgo biloba, and eyebright.

Check out our book, “Natural Eye Care Series: Macular Degeneration – A Guide to Preventing and Managing Macular Degeneration Naturally.”

At Natural Eye Care, we recommend the Vision Diet. It is a variation on the popular Mediterranean Diet that provides many nutrients for good eye health. To learn more about our products, click the links below.