Nutrition and How It Can Prevent Macular Degeneration

In 1994, we first showed that diet and nutrition played a role in the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a disease that causes vision loss in the central part of the eye. It’s now proven that some foods can reduce the risk of advanced types of the disease by 57%.

Macular degeneration is the most common cause of severe vision loss among people 50 years and older. Only the center of vision is affected by this disease, but AMD can make it hard to read, drive or do other daily activities that need detailed vision.

I’ve done extensive research for decades on this topic, which has included thousands of people with and without macular degeneration. Our studies have shown that the steps below can keep your eyes healthier for longer.

Do These 10 Things to Prevent Macular Degeneration

You’ll see that some of the things you can do for your eye health will also help with your overall health.

• Eat dark green leafy vegetables, including spinach, kale, collard greens, turnip greens, parsley and other types of vegetables a few times a week.
• Eat fruits like blueberries, strawberries, melons and cantaloupe.
• Eat fish high in omega-3 fats, like salmon, herring and mackerel a few times a week.
• Eat walnuts and other types of nuts.
• Eat whole grain bread rather than white, and brown rice rather than white rice.
• Avoid processed baked goods and snack foods.
• Avoid adding sugar, drinking soft drinks and eating foods with a lot of sugar.
• Avoid high-fat meals and foods with high levels of saturated fat or trans fats (hydrogenated fats).
• Don’t smoke.
• Exercise and maintain a normal overall weight and abdominal weight.

Cook and Learn for Eye Health

I co-authored a cookbook called “Eat Right for Your Sight” which was published in 2015. I recently joined the American Macular Degeneration Foundation to discuss the research behind the AMD diet and nutrient recommendations for macular degeneration, while we taped a cooking segment.

Watch: Eat Right for Your Sight – Dinner and the Science Behind the AMD Diet

In another video, UMass Memorial Health nutritionist Barbara Olendzki brings her knowledge to the kitchen.

Watch: Eat Right for Your Sight – Snacks and Nutrients for Macular Degeneration

Guest Blogger: Johanna Seddon, MD, ScM, FARVO, Director, Macular Degeneration Center, Director, Retina, Eye Center, UMass Memorial Health. Dr. Seddon is a pioneer in the roles that diet and nutrition play in eye health.