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A Delicious Recipe for Healthy Vision
Almost every week you can read about nutritionally healthy foods that are good for the mind and the body. And research has shown time and time again that many vitamin and anti-oxidant-rich foods are essential for maintaining healthy vision. Recent studies are further proof that you can slow or even prevent macular degeneration by eating foods such as fatty fish (see accompanying article), nuts, certain fruits and vegetables including leafy greens. It's easier than you think to include many eye-healthy ingredients in your diet. We think you'll love this delicious meal so much, you'll forget that it is a great way to protect your vision. Enjoy!
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Omega 3-Rich Fish in Your Diet Can Prevent or Slow AMD
Benefits depend on the stage of disease and whether antioxidant supplements are taken--more studies needed
Eating fatty fish such as salmon, tuna or mackerel two to three times per week can slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) according to a new study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.
This research further confirms earlier studies that suggested eating fish can help reduce the risk of getting AMD and demonstrates that some of those already affected by the disease can benefit as well.
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AMD Research
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New Discovery Could Lead to Better Detection and Treatment of AMD
Early detection of macular degeneration is critical for effectively treating the disease and preventing vision loss. A promising study by scientists in the United States have now identified a new target that could block the activity of a marker--a protein known as CCR3-that can reduce the abnormal blood vessel growth that could lead to wet AMD.
"Wet" AMD, the most serious form of the disease, is caused by abnormal, leaky blood vessels. Central vision loss occurs when these abnormal blood vessels invade the retina, the light-sensitive multi-layered tissue that lines the back of the eye. This recent discovery may enable doctors to catch the disease in its earliest stages-before the retina is damaged and vision loss ever occurs.
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| Living with AMD |
 Remember to Check Your Eyesight
The Amsler Grid (seen here) is a
useful tool that may be helpful in revealing signs of "wet" macular degeneration (AMD). Since 10-20 percent of people diagnosed
with "dry" AMD may develop the "wet" form of the disease, careful monitoring of your vision for changes, regardless of the type you have, is essential.
Remember, the earlier you can detect a change, the better chance you have of preserving vision. Keep in mind that this test is not a substitute for regularly scheduled eye exams.
If changes are noted, call your doctor immediately. Click Here to see a larger Amsler Grid and instructions for administering the test.
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Patient Question |
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I have dry AMD and heard about a drug called Lucentis but am told it won't work for me. Why?
 Answer from Dr. Gerald Chader, Chief Scientific Officer, Doheny Retina Institute, University of Southern California Medical School.
Many patients ask this question and before giving a simple answer, it is important to understand the difference between the two main types of macular degeneration.
Dry AMD, which is the more common form of the disease, accounts for 85% to 90% of all cases. It develops gradually over time and causes varying degrees of sight loss. It occurs when the light-sensitive cells in the macula slowly break down, gradually blurring central vision in the affected eye. One key identifier for dry AMD is the collection of small, round, white-yellow, fatty deposits called drusen in the macula.
Wet AMD occurs when abnormal, leaky blood vessels develop in the macular. These abnormal vessels leak fluid and blood into the tissue at the back of the eye, causing a blister to form in the retina. The resulting scar tissue leads first to distortion and eventually to loss of central vision. Although the wet form of AMD accounts for only 10 - 15% of all AMD, the risk of severe sight loss is much greater.
Lucentis is known as an Anti-VEGF drug. Delivered by intravitreal injection into the eye, Lucentis works to halt the proliferation of leaky blood vessels in the macula. Anti-VEGF drugs work by targeting VEGF (Vascular endothelial growth factor), a protein involved in causing new blood vessel formation. Lucentis has been very successful for many people with wet AMD, but since it is not designed to stop the earlier pathological changes such as the formation of drusen, it is not useful for treating the dry form of the disease.
However, if you have the dry form of AMD, there are things you can do.......
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AMD Alliance International
Bringing Hope and Help to People
Living with AMD
AMD Alliance International is the only international organization in the world dedicated exclusively to promoting awareness, treatment and research into macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss in the developed world. With more than 60 organizational members in 25 countries, we are comprised of the worlds' leading vision, seniors and research organizations.
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