26 THE QUEENS COURIER • HEALTH • AUGUST 5, 2021 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
health
How you can help reduce your risk of
age-related macular degeneration
Creating a tapestry of vivid colors and
patterns, Geri Wires, an avid quilter, relies
on her sight to create her art. So, in 2007
aft er her dilated eye exam and speaking
with her eye doctor, she was alarmed
at the diagnosis of age-related macular
degeneration (AMD) at age 64. AMD is
one of the leading causes of vision loss
among people 50 and older and aff ects 16
million Americans — more than glaucoma
and cataracts combined.
“Aft er my diagnosis, the reality of AMD
and its potential eff ects on my vision
became very serious to me,” Wires said.
To help manage her condition, Wires
began taking Bausch + Lomb PreserVision
AREDS 2 Formula eye vitamins twice
daily at her doctor’s suggestion as part
of an action plan that includes a healthy
diet and regular exercise. PreserVision
AREDS 2 formula eye vitamins contain
the nutrient formula recommended by
National Eye Institute (NEI) researchers
to help reduce the risk of progression in
people with moderate to advanced AMD.
AMD is a progressive eye condition
caused by degeneration of the part of the
retina that impacts central vision. Earlystage
AMD oft en does not present any
symptoms or vision changes, as symptoms
usually appear gradually over time. In its
later stages, AMD can lead to diffi culty
with daily activities like driving, reading
or recognizing the faces of loved ones,
according to the NEI.
New NEI data shows specifi c
vitamin mix can help reduce
risk of AMD progression
In 2001, data from the AREDS2 study
demonstrated that taking a specifi c combination
of antioxidants and zinc could
help reduce the risk of progression of
AMD. Most recently in May 2021, results
of the 10-year follow-up on the AREDS2
study show that a specifi c nutrient mix
and dosage, known as the AREDS 2 formula,
continues to reduce the risk of
AMD progression and further clarify the
importance of an AREDS 2 supplement as
part of a patient’s action plan.
Th e exact combination of vitamins
and minerals in the AREDS 2 formula
— vitamin C (500mg), vitamin E (400
IU), lutein (10mg)/zeaxanthin (2mg),
zinc (80mg zinc oxide) and copper (2mg
cupric oxide) — is diffi cult to achieve
from diet alone, and standard multivitamins
or other eye vitamins generally do
not contain the same level of nutrients.
Today, Wires continues to take her
eye vitamins as part of her overall plan
to help manage her condition and visits
her eye doctor every six weeks for a
check-up.
“I’m involved in a group that helps
sew masks for the community and without
taking steps to help reduce the risk
of progression of my AMD, I may not
have been able to help sew more than
1,000 masks at the height of the pandemic,”
Wires said. “I’m glad that by working
with my eye doctor and following my
plan, I’m still able to quilt and enjoy time
with my family.”
Reducing your risk of AMD
As people age, their risk of eye-related
diseases like AMD increases dramatically,
according to U.S. Census data. Smokers,
women and those with a family history
of AMD are at higher risk of developing
AMD.
Over 50? Th e following lifestyle changes
recommended by NEI can help protect
your eye health.
1. Quit smoking. Smokers are at higher
risk. If you smoke, preserving your vision
is a good reason to quit.
2. Stay active. Regular exercise may
lower your risk or slow progression of the
disease.
3. Safeguard against UV light. Especially
if you work outdoors, protect your eyes
with sunglasses.
4. Boost your diet. Maintain a healthy
diet and take vitamins that contribute to
eye health and ask your eye doctor what
eye vitamin is appropriate for you.
5. Get regular eye exams. See your eye
care provider regularly to help detect
minor changes that may otherwise go
unnoticed. Eye doctors can check for
AMD as part of a comprehensive dilated
eye exam. During this painless exam,
your doctor will give you some eye drops
to dilate (widen) your pupil and then
check your eyes for AMD and other eye
problems.
To learn more about AMD, visit
SightMatters.com.
— Courtesy of BPT
/WWW.QNS.COM
/SightMatters.com
