Good Health Choices New Zealand – August 2019

Good Health

handbook

Certain eye conditions develop
as a result of ageing, eye
injury, family history and
medical conditions.

AMD
Age-related macular
degeneration (AMD) is
the most common cause
of vision impairment and
blindness in New Zealand
for people over 50. It involves the
deterioration of the central part of the
retina called the macula, which provides
your fine vision for daily tasks such
as reading, writing, recognising faces,
colour vision and driving.

TWO TYPES OF AMD
There are two types: wet and dry. Dry
AMD is the most common and leads to a
gradual loss of central vision. Wet AMD
is less common, with sudden and severe
changes in vision, and almost
always begins as dry AMD.

LOOK OUT FOR
AMD symptoms
develop gradually and
many people are not
aware they have it
until their eyes have
suffered irreversible
loss of central vision.
It can often be detected
before symptoms develop
by having regular and
comprehensive eye checks.
Look out for these changes, too:
»A gradual decline in the ability
to see objects clearly

Studies suggest people with low levels of carotenoids

(plant pigments responsible for red, yellow and orange

hues in many fruits and veg), particularly lutein and

zeaxanthin, and vitamins C and E in their blood are

at higher risk of developing AMD. Antioxidant, vitamin and

mineral supplementation helped stop the progression of AMD in

a small percentage of patients.

Nutrient research

»Distorted vision

»Dark or empty spaces blocking

the central field of vision

»Colours may seem faded

»Visual hallucinations.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Medications that prevent the

formation and growth of

abnormal blood vessels

can be used to reduce

the advanced vision loss

associated with wet AMD

in some cases. If it’s in the

early stages, laser surgery

may be recommended.

CATARACTS

The lens of your eye is naturally

clear but becomes opaque when

cataracts and the amount of light

that passes through is reduced

and scattered, leading to glare and

hazy vision. If untreated, cataracts

can cause blindness.

You might experience:

»Blurred or hazy vision

»Spots before the eyes

»Double vision

»Sensitivity to glare and light

»Poor night vision

»Colours may seem faded or yellowed

»Needing a brighter light to read.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Prescription glasses and a magnifying

glass can help improve your vision

temporarily but when the condition

becomes serious, surgical procedure

is necessary to restore vision – a small

incision is made; the cloudy lens is

removed and replaced with a clear

plastic lens.

REDUCE YOUR RISK

Most cataracts are the result of

ageing and long-term exposure to

ultraviolet light, usually from the

sun. Smoking and drinking too

much alcohol are also linked

to cataract formation. Diet

plays a role too, with research

indicating that people who

have a low intake of fruits and

vegetables are at greater risk. »

EYE

CONDITIONS

amd

involves the

deterioration

of the central

part of the

retina

be informed

be nourished

simply be

be energised

be inspired