Vision Doctor | Healing the Eye

Reversing Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration is the most common cause of irreversible blindness in people over the age of 65.  It is a slow progressive disease that affects the central area of the retina called the macula. This is the location of the retina responsible for central vision or the vision which gives us the greatest detail in our sight.

The exact cause of macular degeneration is not known but the earliest changes occur in the choroid (vascular layer of the eye) and pigmented retinal epithelium.  These changes begin as thickening of Bruch's membrane, which is the layer of the choroid next to the retina.  These thickened areas become raised and have the appearance of warts.  These changes produce loss of pigment and cell death of the functioning layers of the retina.  It eventually leads to fluid accumulation, hemorrhage and scar tissue.  Loss of central vision occurs but this rarely produces total blindness because the peripheral vision is preserved.

The disease commonly occurs over the age of 65 years but there are several hereditary conditions, which can lead to this disorder at a much earlier age.  Patients usually complain of blurred vision and difficulty with close work.  They can also develop wavy lines and distortion of linear targets. There is loss of color sense and the development of scotomas (small areas of blindness).

There is a higher incidence of macular degeneration with hypertension, arteriosclerotic vascular disease and diabetes.

There are several types of macular degeneration.  The two common types described are the dry and wet types.  The dry or areolar type consists of degeneration of the retinal pigment cells resulting in drusen (small wart like growth) hyper and hypopigmented areas in the retina with loss of rods and cones and generalized atrophy.  The wet type or exudative type presents as vascular leakage with exudates and a detachment of the retina with loss of vision.  A small percentage of these cases can be treated successfully with the argon laser.

There is another type of macular degeneration, which occurs in the diabetic.  This results from leakage of small blood vessels, which leads to fluid accumulation under the retina and loss of central vision.

Begin a healthy diet for eye

You should shift your diet away from meats and dairy products towards a largely vegetarian diet that includes cold water fish (salmon and cod) and eggs.  There is evidence that this type of diet will help in weight reduction, reduce the risk of arteriosclerotic vascular disease, lower blood pressure, reduce the incidence of diabetes and improve blood flow to the eye.

 Develop an exercise program
If you do not have a regular exercise program now is the time to start.  You should begin slowly under your physician's supervision.  Begin with 10 to 15 minutes several times a week.  This should gradually be increased to 30 minutes of moderate exercise everyday.  The ideal exercise will increase your heart rate a small amount without producing undue fatigue.

General guidelines are to exercise at 60% of your maximum heart rate.  To calculate this number subtract your age from 220.  This number is your maximum heart rate.  60% of this number will be your target heart rate.  During exercise be sure to monitor your heart rate.
Example: Let say your age is 60.

First calculate your maximum heart rate
    220-60 is 160.

Next calculate your  target heart rate
   60% of  160 is 96

A heart rate of 96 is therefore your goal when you exercise.
Find something that you  enjoy and remember to continue your program.  Brisk walking is a favorite activity of many people.  Other exercises to consider are swimming, aerobics, and cycling.  If you are physically limited consult with your doctor on other activities. 

Moderate exercise improves your cardiovascular system, helps keep off extra pounds, lowers cholesterol, reduces high blood pressure and improves retinal circulation.  Exercise also helps to improve your mental outlook and reduces stress.  These factors are important in helping the body fight disease.  This is probably the best thing you will do for your health!

Begin a program of meditation
Meditation is exercise for the mind. It is well known that there is a mind body connection in health and disease. Meditation will help reduce stresses that adversely affect our bodies. Studies have shown that meditation helps to lower blood pressure, slow the heart rate and produces a general feeling of well being.

There are many different methods to meditate depending on one's religious background. It can be a simple prayer, positive visualization, saying a positive affirmation or utilizing techniques to slow the breathing.

During this process it important and letting go of negative thoughts. Sometimes being in a very pleasant natural environment, such as a park or a walk in the country away from the stresses of the daily life will be like meditation. Meditation should be a daily practice to help reduce stress.

In 1920 Dr. William Bates introduced a series of eye exercises to reduce eyestrain, improve circulation and the function of the eye. These exercises have been used successfully by thousands of people with visual disorders.
Two books to learn more about the Bate's method are:
W. H. Bates, MD, The Cure of Imperfect Sight by Treatment Without Glasses, Health Research, Pomeroy, Washington, 1978
P. Mansfield, The Bates Method, Vermillion, London, 1992

Eliminate coffee, aspirin, margarine, alcohol and stop smoking. Why?
Coffee should be reduced or eliminated. Studies have shown that coffee can produce a 13% reduction in retinal blood flow.  This is especially important in patients that have existing retinal damage and who are losing vision.

Several studies shown that there is an increase risk of bleeding into the eyes in patients with macular degeneration who take aspirin.  If you have been started on an aspirin program discuss this with your doctor.

Margarine interferes with the circulation and with the synthesis of gamma linolenic acid.
Avoid eating margarine, Crisco and hydrogenated fats. They are all toxic and they interfere with the synthesis of this essential fatty acid.  Gamma linolenic acid along with selenium are needed to maintain normal vasculature of the retinal vessels.  A study in Australia people who use margarine and sun bath have a 700% higher incidence of malignant melanoma than those who sun bath and use butter. There is also a higher incidence of lung cancer in smokers who use margarine compared to butter.

High alcohol consumption also reduces the levels of antioxidants and carotenoids. Avoid alcohol or severely limit your intake to maintain the proper levels of these important antioxidants.

If you smoke please do everything possible to stop.  There is a 6.6 times greater risk of developing macular degeneration in smokers, even former smokers have a 3.2 greater risk.  Each cigarette robs the body of 25 mg of vitamin C.  Smokers have an increase in lipids (both fat and cholesterol) which increase the risk of severe cardiovascular disease.  These factors produce narrowing of the retinal blood vessels that carry valuable nutrients to the eye. 

Protect your eyes from sunlight
UV and Blue Violet sunrays increase the risk of developing macular degeneration.  Studies have shown that people who spend a great deal of time outdoors are twice as likely to develop macular degeneration.  A good pair of sunglasses which block 100% of UVA and UVB and block at least 85% of blue violet sun rays are essential to protect the eyes from the harmful effects of the sun. On a sunny day a wide brim hat should also be worn.

Begin a program of antioxidants
The 1958 Helsinki study proved those agents, which opened the blood vessels (Vasodilators), and that cleared blood vessel of plaques (Antioxidants) result in improvement of vision. In this study patients who received Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Heparin showed a 67% visual improvement.

The results of the Multicenter Ophthalmic and Nutritional Age Related Macular Degeneration Study in 1996 showed that AMD subjects who were given a broad spectrum antioxidant stabilized in their better functioning eyes. The subjects that used placebos (no vitamins) lost an average of one line of vision.

Important antioxidants:
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Beta-carotene
Glutathione

Important mineral antioxidants
Selenium
It is a vital antioxidant, which protects the immune system, preventing the formation of free radicals.  It is especially important to combine Selenium with Vitamin E.  They act together to aid in the production of antibodies and to help maintain a healthy heart, liver and eyes.  Selenium is found in meat and grains.  Since the content of Selenium is very low on much of American farm soil there has been a marked reduction in the levels found in meat and grains.

Zinc
The Archives of Ophthalmology reported a study that tested the effectiveness of Zinc in macular degeneration.  Patients who took zinc supplements showed significantly less deterioration than patients who did not. It is now recommended that moderate dosages of Zinc may be beneficial in macular degeneration.  Dosages greater than 100 mg a day can reduce copper stores in the body, increase bad cholesterol (LDL) and depress your immune system.  Because of this, high dosages of zinc are not recommended. 

 Eat a diet rich in carotenoids.  Eat colorful foods to maintain good color vision

Lutein and Zeaxanthin are carotenoids, which make up the pigment in the macula of the eye. These are the pigments which give food their color.  They are found in eggs, colored fruits and leafy green vegetables.  The following are good sources of carotenoids: kale, spinach, mustard greens, pumpkins, eggs, corn, orange peppers and grapes. Eggs contain the highest amount of both compounds, corn contains the most Lutein and orange peppers have the most Zeaxanthin. 

They are needed to help maintain the macula lutea, the part of retina responsible for the sharpest vision. They also act as a filter to protect the eye against photo induced damage and they also protect the eye from free radicals.   Studies show that animals deprived from this pigment develop macular degeneration in a few weeks.  Eggs contain three times the concentration carotenoids because chicken are fed marigold to make the yolks more yellow.  Marigold supplements and marigold tea have been proposed as a good source of this valuable nutrient.

A recent study by the national Institutes of health found that people who ate the highest amounts of food rich in carotenoids had a 43% lower risk of developing macular degeneration.

Take herbal supplements shown to strengthen your eye

Bilberry
Interest developed in this European plant, when World War II British Air Force pilots reported improved night vision after taking Bilberry.  It is now used in Europe for many eye disorders including cataract, macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa and diabetic retinopathy.  It contains anthocyanosides, which have been shown to stabilize collagen, increase intracellular vitamin C levels and decrease capillary fragility.  Studies have also shown a decrease in platelet aggregation (similar affect as aspirin) and a reduction in blood sugar.  Bilberry may improve oxygen delivery to the eye and act as an antioxidant.

Ginkgo Biloba
It is a tree that lives as long as 1000 years.  Originally found in China, it was imported into the United States in 1784.  The Ginkgo leaf extracts are now among the leading prescription medications in both Germany and France.  The primary clinical application has been in the treatment of vascular insufficiency.  Many studies have demonstrated improved circulation in-patients with arterial insufficiency.  In addition to improving retinal circulation, Ginkgo also has a protective affect against free radicals.  Another study has shown that a combination of Ginkgo Biloba and Zinc may slow the progression of visual loss.

How can sleep help improve your macular degeneration?

Recent  studies have indicated that a very important part of a healthy eye is the melanin contained in the retinal pigment epithelium of the retina. Researchers have observed the earliest changes in macular degeneration occur in this layer of the eye. As we age changes in the pigment layer of the eye develop along with the development of Drusen. I like to describe drusen as waste material that accummulates  as our retinal cells become sluggish.
Even the slightest amount of light will reduce the melatonin production . During the night, sleep in complete 100% darkness.. Even remove the lighted LCd-display from the alarm-clock can reduce the melatonin production. Also be sure to get enough sunlight during the day.. With a good contrast of light (during the day) vs complete darkness (night), the pineal glands produce the most melatonin.
A recent article was published studying the effects of melatonin in macular degeneration by the New York Academy of Sciences. Effects of Melatonin in Age-Related Macular Degeneration Reversal of Aging: Resetting the Pineal Clock Volume 1057 published December 2005 Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 1057: 384–392 (2005). CHANGXIAN YI et al. They proposed that the decrease in  melatonin in the elderly  may be an important factor in RPE dysfunction, which is a well known cause for initiation of AMD. 100 patients were given 3 mg of melatonin at night for a minimum of 3 months.  Fifty-five patients were followed for more than 6 months. At 6 months of treatment, the visual acuity had been kept stable in general. The majority of patients  had reduced pathologic macular changes. We conclude that the daily use of 3 mg melatonin seems to protect the retina and to delay macular degeneration. No significant side effects were observed.

Begin homeopathic treatment to improve your health
Homeopathy is scientific method of therapy based on the principle of stimulating the body's own healing processes in order to accomplish cure. The basic system was devised and verified by Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician, nearly 200 years ago. Homeopathy's astounding success rates in both chronic and acute diseases has not only stood the test of time, but has rapidly achieved widespread acceptance in Europe, India and South America.

In Homeopathy ("homeo-" means "similar"), each of us is a total complete individual, no aspect of which can be separated from any other. To be effective, any valid therapy must be based on a deep understanding of and respect for the uniqueness of each individual. In Homeopathy each patient is evaluated as a whole person- mental, emotional and physical. The prescribing remedy is based on the unique patterns found on all three levels. This means that each person is given a remedy that will stimulate his or her particular body to heal. Ten people with macular degeneration might receive ten different homeopathic remedies.

Homeopathy has been carefully researched and its effectiveness has been reported in the following well respected national medical journals: Jacobs J, Treatment of Acute Childhood Diarrhea with Homeopathic Medication. Pediatrics 1994; 93:719-7255, Reilly DT , Is Homeopathy a Placebo Response? Lancet 1986; Oct: 881-886 and Kleijnen J, Clinical Trails of Homeopathy. British Medical Journal 1991; 302: 315-323.

Homeopathy can be a valuable adjunct in your treatment of Macular Degeneration