Prevention

You can't prevent age-related macular degeneration (AMD). But there are some steps you can take that may lower your risk of getting it.

• Have regular eye exams. Eye exams may help you find out if you are at risk for AMD or, if you have AMD, may detect it early. Early detection can sometimes delay loss of vision.
• Don't smoke. People who smoke may be twice as likely to develop AMD than those who don't smoke.¹ Even after you stop smoking, this increased risk may persist for many years.
• Eat plenty of fruits and nuts. Eating regular servings of fruits and nuts may lower your chances of getting AMD.⁴

Home Treatment

Although there's no treatment that can cure age-related macular degeneration, there are steps you can take to keep it from getting worse. These steps may help prevent wet AMD if you already have the dry form:

• Eat a diet rich in dark green, leafy vegetables (such as spinach). Your doctor may also advise you to take antioxidant vitamins and zinc. A diet rich in vitamins may slow the progression of AMD and delay vision loss. But this treatment is most effective if you already have moderate AMD. Check with your doctor before taking any supplements. Some can have harmful side effects, especially in high doses.¹
• Eat fish. Eating fish, a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, may lower your chances of getting AMD.¹
• Limit harmful fats. Too much saturated fat and cholesterol in your diet may increase your risk that AMD will get worse.¹
• Get regular exercise, and stay at a healthy weight. These choices may lower your risk of developing wet AMD.⁵

Use the Amsler grid

People with AMD should check the vision in both eyes using an Amsler grid every day or as often as the doctor recommends. If any of the lines on the grid change or begin to appear wavy and curved, or if you notice that your vision is getting worse, call your doctor.

Living with reduced vision

Reduced vision or vision loss from AMD can affect your life in many ways. How much it will affect you depends on your lifestyle and on how bad your vision loss is. Work with your doctor to find ways to make the best use of your remaining vision. There are things that you can do to adjust and keep your quality of life as much as possible. For more information, see:

Macular Degeneration: Coping With Reduced Vision.

It is normal to feel unhappy about your loss of vision. But if your feelings of sadness are severe or do not improve, you may develop depression, which requires treatment. If you need help in dealing with your feelings about AMD, talk to your doctor and to your family and friends. Your doctor can also refer you to a counselor who specializes in helping people adjust to living with limited vision.