ReadersDigestAustraliaNewZealand-April2018

April• 2018 | 105

READER’S DIGEST

bleeding, but they must be given
frequently, often over years.
Although the injections aren’t
pleasant, because they go into the
eye,patients are prepared with a top-
ical anaesthetic so they don’t feel any
pain. Several studies have proven the
value of the injections in preserving
vision.”
People with AMD don’t go com-
pletely blind and can navigate with
peripheral vision. Schmitz-Moor-
mann maintains her independence
with absorptive-filter glasses that
improve contrast, a mobility cane for
walking and a magnifying glass for
reading large-print books.

To reduce your
risk of AMD

Don’t smoke
Itcandoubleyou
risk of AMD.
Live healthily
According
to recent
studies, eating
a Mediterranean-
style diet rich in fi
nuts and olive oil
may lower your c
of developing AM
activity also lower i –
of 41,000 individuals showed those
who did physical activity had a
40 per cent lower risk of AMD than
sedentary people.
Try a supplementLutein and
zeaxanthin are powerful antioxidants

that help to defend the macular

region of the eye.

Test yourselfBetween eye tests,

look at a special grid of lines, called

anAmslergrid,tocatchAMDearly.

Periodically look at it with each

eye separately. Do you see the four

corners? Is there distortion of any

squares?

DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

One-third of adults with diabetes

have diabetic retinopathy, the lead-

ing cause of preventable blindness

among diabetic adults. Uncontrolled

e levels damage

essels through-

the body, in-

ding vessels

at nourish the

etina. hey can

become swol-

len and leak

blood. Or new,

eaky vessels

ay grow on the

tina. Leaked

d or insuicient

low can distort

ision. People of-

a problem until

their vision is damaged.

People with diabetes have gradual

visual loss due to retinopathy and

often are not aware of it unless their

daily life is afected,” says Dr Karad-

eniz. “We can prevent severe visual