AMD & MACUSHIELD
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
As it’s name suggests Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) affects
people later in life and
accounts for about 50% of people registered blind in the UK. The general population
is getting older so that now about 12% of people over 80 years old will have
AMD.
The macula is an important part of the eye because it allows us to see detail and colour. Macular Degeneration involves the damage or loss of cells in the macula area and results in the loss of central vision. This can lead to reduction in your ability to read, recognise faces, watch television and drive for example.
There are 2 types of AMD, ‘dry’ and ‘wet'.
1. Dry AMD – Is a degenerative condition and accounts for about 90%
of all cases and generally has a less devastating affect on vision and some
people may not even notice any great differences in their vision.
2. Wet AMD – This accounts for about 10% of cases and can result in very
poor sight. Some new treatments are now becoming available in hospital clinics
but it is very important to have these as soon as possible. It is important
to remember that sometimes Dry AMD can progress to Wet AMD
Your Leightons Opticians Optometrist will give you a comprehensive eye test and examination, which includes the assessment of the health of your macula. And, if you choose to have your retina photographed as part of your examination, you can see this vital part of your eye for yourself and discuss this with your optician.
Probably one the most important RISK FACTORS for AMD is diet. Dry AMD is
caused by the build up of “harmful debris” in the macula area which
damages the cells of the macula. Naturally occurring chemicals from our diet
called antioxidatants clear away this debris.
The naturally occurring antioxidants in the macula are three protective pigments:
> Lutein
> Zeaxanthin
> Meso-Zeaxanthin
These three pigments help to protect the eye by filtering ‘blue’ light as it reaches your retina to help to protect these sensitive tissues.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin are found in the typical western diet in eggs, leafy green vegetables such as kale and brightly coloured vegetables. Meso-Zeaxanthin is often lacking in western diets as it is only found in some shell fish and shrimps and certain types of fish including salmon and sea bass. Meso-Zeaxanthin is now thought to be the most powerful of the three antioxidants. Recent studies have shown that people suffering with AMD have low levels of these protective pigments
At Leightons Opticians we recommend we recommend having a
well balanced diet and healthy lifestyle and also the dietary supplement called
MacuShield.
MacuShield is the only daily dietary supplement, which contains all
three of these antioxidants including Meso-Zeaxanthin in sufficient concentrations.
The new formulation of MacuShield being launched in February 2010 is
now a liquid capsule, which allows these antioxidants to reach the cells of
the macula more quickly. It’s ingredients are made from the crushed petals
of marigold flowers and is free from animal products and is therefore suitable
for vegetarians.
MacuShield is available from Leightons Opticians branches currently priced at £12.99 for 30 capsules.
Retired Optometrist Harry Marsland was severely affected by AMD but recovered 95% of his vision after using MacuShield. Research has shown that the health of the macula can be boosted by 40% after 140 consecutive days of taking MacuShield. The outcome and results will vary from person to person and cannot be guaranteed.
Other risk factors of AMD include:
> Age -
> Smoking – it causes the harmful debris to build up in the
macula more quickly and reduces the amount of the protective antioxidant pigments.
> Family History – if you have close relatives with AMD you
may be more likely to develop AMD yourself. Leightons Opticians recommendation
an eye examination at least every two years and your Leightons Opticians
Optometrist will take your personal risk factors into account when recommending
an appropriate interval between your eye tests. They
will also offer you advice on your lifestyle, diet and dietary supplements
such as MacuShield
> Prolonged Exposure to UltraViolet Light – Your Leightons
Opticians fully qualified Dispensing Optician can advise you
which of our wide range of sun protection lenses is best for you
> Obesity -
> Gender – Women are at a slightly higher risk of getting AMD
than men.
> Race - Caucasian people seem to be slightly higher risk than other
races
At Leightons Opticians we already recommend MacuShield as one of the steps to help to try and reduce the affects of AMD - one of the leading causes of blindness.
MacuShield has now been reformulated to make it even easier to take and more effective in its action. You can order MacuShield by calling us on 0800 40 20 20 or email us directly.
