What is macular degeneration?
macular degeneration is a progressive loss of ability to see in the center of the field of vision. This is due to the degeneration of macula, a small opaque place in the center of the eyes. The macula is also referred to as a "yellow spot". These small yellow areas near the center of the retina are a place where visual perception is the most amazing. It is believed that reduced pigmentation is a risk factor in the development of the disease.
Age -related state can affect one or both eyes. It usually affects people over 55 years of age and can cause wavy or blurred lines in the middle of the field of vision. More than 500,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Macular degeneration is painless and can be unidentified for years.
Risk Factors for this disease include:
- low intake of certain nutrients in food
- Age
- Smoking
- Excessive exposure to bright sunlight
- gender
- race
- Family History
- light -colored eyes
- High blood pressure
exisTwo types of macular degeneration-"dry", represent approximately 90% of cases and "wet", which represents the remaining cases. "Dry" macular degeneration is particularly difficult to treat mainly because it is not healing operations and can eventually develop into the type "wet".
"wet" macular degeneration refers to the overgrowth of small veins under Makula, which then leaks the liquid. Laser surgery may stop the condition; Bohunatley, such a surgery creates a blind spot in the middle of a macula. Unfortunately, the benefits achieved in surgery are not permanent. Finally, the venous growth and the fluid penetrate again.
zeaxanthin is an antioxidant compound that naturally occurs in the body. It protects sensitive eye cells from harmful blue light waves in the same way as sunglasses. Studies have shown that parts of the macula with the highest concentration of zeaxantin are the last degenerated. Zeaxanthin levels decrease with age.
The loss of zeaxantin related to age is suspected as a factor in both types of macular degeneration.
zeaxanthin and lutein are carotenoids (yellow pigments) found at high concentrations in yellow fruit and vegetables and in dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kolbus and kale. Carotenoids are absorbed into the blood and preferably store in eye tissues where they protect against free radicals and absorb harmful rays of blue light. Zeaxanthin is produced by the conversion of lutein into the eye.
individuals with the highest spinach consumption had almost 90% reduction in their risk of macular degeneration.
In addition to the high dietary consumption of carotenoids, doctors are often recommended for dietary supplements to prevent macular degeneration.