Vitasight provides industry-leading vision health supplements and essential eye care support which contribute to maintaining healthy eyes and eyesight.
Never lose sight of what matters most.
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of severe vision loss in people over the age of 55, however it is an eye disease that can be manageable. Vitasight supplements have been specifically formulated to combat the progression of AMD, preserve normal vision and promote general eye health so you never lose sight of life’s precious moments.
Our eyes are placed under immense stress every day. Not only do they need to deliver accurate vision from varying distances, but they also frequently need to adapt quickly from bright to dark light levels. Sunlight, the blue light emitted by smart devices and PCs, and dry or dusty air also contribute to the stress put on our eyes.
Furthermore, as we consume, inhale and absorb an abundance of toxins on a daily basis (through contaminated foods, drinks and polluted air), some of these toxins may catalyse the formation of free radicals in the body. UV light present in sunlight also accelerates the production of free radicals. Free radicals are unstable compounds that feed on healthy human cells. There is a strong correlation between the number of free radicals present in one’s body and ageing.
As free radicals accumulate, some may build up in our eyes, leading to eye disease, including Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and the formation of Cataracts. AMD is one of the most common causes of central vision loss in ageing populations across the world. It is an irreversible disease that could lead to blindness if left unchecked.
What is AMD?
Macular Degeneration is a degenerative condition affecting the central part of the retina (the macula) and resulting in distortion or loss of central vision. The macula is the part of the retina responsible for clear vision in your direct line of sight. It occurs especially in older adults, in which case it is called Age-related Macular Degeneration.
Dry Macular Degeneration may first develop in one or both eyes and then affect both eyes. Over time, your vision may worsen and affect your ability to do things, such as read, drive and recognise faces. Vision loss is typically central and people retain their peripheral vision. Early detection and self-care measures may delay vision loss due to Dry Macular Degeneration.
Symptoms
Dry Macular Degeneration symptoms usually develop gradually and without pain. They may include:
- Visual distortions, such as straight lines seeming bent
- Reduced central vision in one or both eyes
- The need for brighter light when reading or doing close-up work
- Increased difficulty adapting to low light levels, such as when entering a dimly lit restaurant
- Increased blurriness of printed words
- Decreased intensity or brightness of colours
- Difficulty recognising faces
- A well-defined blurry spot or blind spot in your field of vision
Dry Macular Degeneration is one of two types of Age-related Macular Degeneration. It can progress to Wet (neovascular) Macular Degeneration, which is characterised by blood vessels that grow under the retina and leak.
Most people with Macular Degeneration have the dry form, but the dry form can lead to the wet form. Only about 10% of people with Macular Degeneration get the wet form.
Risk factors
Factors that may increase your risk of Macular Degeneration include:
- Age – This disease is most common in people over 55 years of age.
- Family history and genetics – This disease has a hereditary component. Researchers have identified several genes that are related to developing the condition.
- Race – Macular Degeneration is more common in Caucasians.
- Smoking – Smoking cigarettes or being regularly exposed to smoke significantly increases your risk of Macular Degeneration.
- Obesity – Research indicates that being obese may increase your chance that early or intermediate Macular Degeneration will progress to the more severe form of the disease.
- Cardiovascular disease – If you have had diseases that affected your heart and blood vessels, you may be at higher risk of Macular Degeneration.
Prevention
It’s important to have routine eye exams to identify early signs of Macular Degeneration. The following measures may help reduce your risk of developing Dry Macular Degeneration:
- Manage your other medical conditions – For example, if you have cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure, take your medication and follow your doctor’s instructions for controlling the condition.
- Don’t smoke – Smokers are more likely to develop Macular Degeneration than non-smokers. Ask your doctor for help to stop smoking.
- Maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly – If you need to lose weight, reduce the number of calories you eat and increase the amount of exercise you get each day.
- Choose a diet rich in fruits and vegetables – Choose a healthy diet that’s full of a variety of fruits and vegetables. These foods contain antioxidant vitamins that reduce your risk of developing Macular Degeneration.
- Include fish in your diet – Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish, may reduce the risk of macular degeneration. Nuts, such as walnuts, also contain omega-3 fatty acids.
