Macular degeneration is a progressive disease that destroys the tissue of the macula, an area of the retina, and results in worsening vision. Dry macular regeneration, the most common form of the disease, is related to age, poor nutrition, obesity and high cholesterol, among other risk factors. Scientists don’t know what causes macular degeneration and can’t reverse the damage to the tissues of the eye. Treatment for macular degeneration is generally focused on preserving the remaining vision for as long as possible and treating any contributing causes to slow the progression of the disease.
Drug Treatment
The National Eye Institute recommends a high-dose combination of antioxidant vitamins, zinc and copper to help slow the progression of vision loss in macular degeneration. While it can’t cure severe vision loss, there is evidence that this treatment for macular degeneration can reduce the risk of vision loss in people with intermediate macular degeneration, and reduce the risk that those who have advanced macular degeneration in one eye will pass the disease to the other eye.
For wet macular degeneration, doctors may use anti-vascular endothelial growth factor to discourage new blood vessels from growing in your eye.
Surgical Treatment
Sometimes doctors may implant a telescopic lens in one eye for people who have advanced macular degeneration in both eyes. The implant may improve both distance vision and close-up vision.
Doctors may also use photocoagulation, a form of laser surgery, to seal off blood vessels, or photodynamic therapy, using light to assist closing off blood vessels that have grown into the macula.
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
Doctors may also recommend that people with early macular degeneration include more fruits and vegetables and make other changes to their diets to increase the antioxidants available to protect their remaining vision. The changes include:
Colorful fruits and vegetables: Brighter and darker vegetables and fruits contain high levels of antioxidants. Eat kale, carrots, broccoli, spinach, peas and other vegetables that contain lutein and zeaxanthin, which may help people with macular degeneration.
Reduce intake of saturated and trans fats: Choose healthier fats instead of butter and partially hydrogenated vegetable oil often found in packaged snacks. Olive oil and other unsaturated fats may help protect your vision.
Eat more fish: Fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce vision loss due to macular degeneration.
Choose whole grains instead of refined grains: Whole-wheat bread and other whole wheat or whole-grain products are higher in antioxidants and form one part of the diet treatment for macular degeneration.
Alternative Therapies
There are a number of eye-support nutritional supplements available to help people with macular degeneration. Some nutritionists may recommend ginkgo biloba or bilberry and grape seed to help reduce vision loss.
Stem Cell Therapy for Macular Degeneration
In recent years, doctors have been experimenting with treatment for macular degeneration using stem cells. There have been recorded cases where doctors have used autologous stem cells to trigger repair of the cells in the macula with considerable success. As this treatment becomes more common, it may become a standard for treatment for macular degeneration.