Risk Factors and Prevention of Macular Degeneration

The risk factors for macular degeneration include:

• Age
• Cigarette Smoking
• Early Menopause
• Hypertension (high blood pressure) and/or cardiovascular disease
• A diet high in certain vegetable fats, especially those found in snack foods like potato chips
• Prolonged sun exposure

Although we cannot do very much about biological risk factors like our age or the onset of menopause, we can take precautions with environmental risk factors. We can stop smoking, regulate hypertension by eating healthy food (organic, is possible) with a good balance of vitamins and nutrients, reduced stress, regular exercise, protection from direct sun exposure, and care to avoid harmful foods like transfats and products that are (heavily) processed.

For a list of vegetables and vitamins that are thought to be helpful in preventing macular degeneration, click here.