My poor Nan has macular degeneration

foreign_correspondent

perhaps I should also add that I have had a couple of bouts of temporary blindness in one eye (from an unrelated condition) - it was very scary initially -thankfully, my vision has now almost recovered, but I do have some blind spots left... however, I cannot tell they are there unless I go for a visual field test. I guess this is what the earlier post from the optometrist was saying, that with peripheral vision you can adapt to some extent and in time it becomes less of a problem.

Psychobot

I watched this too and I found the programme most interesting. The antioxidants in question that help to generate macular pigment are Lutein and zeaxanthin.

Here is a BBC article:

Spinach 'may ward off blindness'

Spinach, noted for making cartoon sailor Popeye strong, may also help to ward off a common cause of blindness.

A team at the University of Manchester believe eating the vegetable may protect the eyes from age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Their theory is based on the fact that spinach, and several other vegetables, contain lutein, a chemical which helps form a key protective eye pigment.
The Manchester team plan a study to test their theory.
AMD is the leading cause of blindness in western society, and is thought to affect up to 12% of men and 29% of women over the age of 75 in the UK.
It is caused by degeneration of the macula, a small area of the retina responsible for seeing detail and colour in the central field of vision.
Scientists do not yet understand why some people are susceptible, but do know that the disease is linked to smoking, obesity and poor diet.


Lutein is found in sweetcorn, kale and broccoli, as well as spinach.
Together with another related chemical called zeaxanthin, it forms an oily yellow substance, called macular pigment, which is thought to protect the macula from AMD.
The Manchester team are launching a study on early-stage sufferers of AMD to try to pin down whether premature visual impairment is linked to low levels of macular pigment.
Lead researcher Dr Ian Murray said: "Our work has already found strong evidence to suggest that macular pigment provides some protection against AMD, but we want to discover whether eating vegetables rich in these chemicals will have a direct impact on the disease.
"Since macular pigment is wholly derived from our diet we would expect that eating foods containing high levels of these compounds increases macular pigment and so helps slow the degenerative process."
Dr Murray's lab has developed a lightweight instrument that can measure the levels of lutein and zeaxanthin.
Pete Torkington, of the Macular Disease Society, said: "The benefits of a diet high in lutein have been suspected for sometime.
"Other factors known to influence macular degeneration include smoking and the damaging effect of blue light on the retina."



http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/health/5379590.stm

wishiwasarichgirl

There is lots of evidence that a good diet can help prevent AMD (Age-related Macular Degeneration).

I advise all my patients to eat plenty of green, leafy veg like spinach and kale, the nutrients in them are also found in the macula and it is believed they can help prevent AMD.

Smoking is also a big risk factor (hence all those warnings on fag packets saying smoking causes blindness - it's true you know) so the first thing everyone should do is quit smoking.

In fact, some of the supplements you can buy can actually do more harm than good if you are a smoker when you take them, so always check with your GP before taking any kind of medication, prescribed or otherwise.

Psychobot

wishiwasarichgirl wrote: »

There is lots of evidence that a good diet can help prevent AMD (Age-related

In fact, some of the supplements you can buy can actually do more harm than good if you are a smoker when you take them, so always check with your GP before taking any kind of medication, prescribed or otherwise.

Beta Carotene ssupplements should be avoided by smokers - However I have read that 25mg of vitamin C is lost from the body per cigarette smoked and a supplement is a quick and easy way to increase intake.

wishiwasarichgirl

best thing to do is quit smoking though, which would you prefer, a quick nicotine fix or your vision in old age?

Psychobot

wishiwasarichgirl wrote: »

best thing to do is quit smoking though, which would you prefer, a quick nicotine fix or your vision in old age?

I don't smoke, I think it's a useless drug of choice - it's brain chemistry trickery that makes the ugly pointless things seem attractive.

So yay- give up people!

foreign_correspondent

apparently some research suggests the lutein in eggs is more easily absorbed than that from spinach...
http://www.jr2.ox.ac.uk/bandolier/band155/b155-6.html
... eating both may be a good idea!

Sarahsaver

My mum is aged 69, she has AMD, the wet eye thing (cant remember the name) and recurring cataracts. She gets the injections on the NHS. Her treatment has always been excellent until recently when they put back a cataract removal from August to November. She can't even see to read her bills properly, but still holds down a job in a shop.
Hers is Diabetes related but I think also age, blood pressure and genes play a part in her case. Hed Dad was registered blind.
I think its terrible that something which could improve someones quality of life isn't given the same priority across the country.

markw5

Two things that may help

1. My Mother who has Age Related Macular Degeneration gets Eye Caps on prescription from her Dr. They are available from the local chemist or some Health Food Shops (I think) and cost about £10 for a months supply, so try for the prescription first. They are said by the Dr. & Optician to help as they contain Luten (found in spinach etc) & some vitamins to help the eyes.

2. Get intouch with Help the Aged. They were fantastic. They visited Mother, filled out all the forms for her & got her Attendance Allowance. They work rearly hard to get everything the aged are entitled to.

So I say "Support Help the Aged" - you may need them some day!

Good Luck with the eye problem. I know it is very frustrating.

atticgirl2003

Hi does anyone know if the use of a magnifier with a light might make the condition worse.