Navigating Age-Related Macular Degeneration with Preventive Measures and Awareness

February is AMD Awareness Month, and the Hawaiian Eye Center is Here to Help!

February marks Age-Related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month, and throughout this month, the Hawaiian Eye Center is urging senior adults to increase their understanding of AMD, also known as age-related macular degeneration—a serious degenerative eye disease that can lead to irreversible vision loss or blindness if left untreated.

The Hawaiian Eye Center has highlighted both preventative measures to lower the risk of developing AMD and key points of awareness regarding the subtle signs that often go unnoticed as the disease progresses:

• Reduce Alcohol Consumption: Research studies indicate a higher incidence of early AMD among those with moderate to high alcohol consumption compared to occasional or non-drinkers. Aging adults are advised to transition toward low-to-no alcohol consumption.
• Nutrition: In 2013, the National Eye Institute discovered that a multi-vitamin formula containing antioxidant vitamins (C and E), lutein, beta carotene, and zinc reduced the risk of progression to advanced AMD in dry AMD patients. Consuming a diet rich in vitamins from leafy greens, colorful vegetables, and fatty fish provides aging adults with a powerful defense against the development or progression of degenerative eye diseases like AMD.
• Exercise: Hypertension, high cholesterol, and heart disease are all risk factors for AMD. Remaining active in one’s 60s and beyond is crucial for reducing the likelihood of degenerative eye diseases affecting senior adults.
• Quit or Avoid Smoking: Studies reveal that smokers are twice as likely to develop AMD compared to non-smokers. Quitting smoking is a significant step towards lowering the risk of AMD. Even those who quit smoking 20 years ago have the same risk as those who have never smoked.
• Heredity: Family history plays a significant role in AMD, with genetics contributing to up to 70 percent of cases. It is encouraging to discuss family history of AMD and other age-related ocular diseases with your eye specialist during comprehensive exams.

Dr. Steven Rhee, the Head Ophthalmologist at Hawaiian Eye Center, emphasizes the importance of regular comprehensive eye exams, especially for adults over 40, stating “Early detection and proactive self-care measures are critical as we age to preserve our eye health. I recommend annual eye exams by age 65 to screen for age-related eye diseases like AMD before symptoms manifest.”