Millions of Americans suffer from age-related macular degeneration, and the number is expected to surpass 22 million by the year 2050. This often-debilitating eye disease can cause problems with visual acuity, including blurred or wavy vision and spots in the central vision, and in some cases it can lead to blindness. Age, heredity, obesity, high blood pressure, smoking, and lack of exercise increase a person’s risk for developing this condition. Those who find themselves needing more light to read and having increased difficulty seeing details unless they are very close may want to get their eyes checked as these can be signs of macular degeneration. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for macular degeneration.
However, there is good news for those facing the condition. Lifestyle changes—including a healthy diet, an increase in antioxidants, increased exercise, and quitting smoking—can slow the progression of the disease. Some researchers have even suggested that hormone therapy could help protect vision from macular degeneration.
