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Macular degeneration is an eye disease that occurs when the macula, a portion of the retina, deteriorates. The macula is crucial for reading, color, and central vision. As the most common cause of vision loss for people over the age of 70, macular degeneration is a prominent issue among older adults today. By understanding the risk factors for this condition, you can better work to prevent it and identify its warning signs.

Risk Factors for Macular Degeneration

There are a handful of risk factors for macular degeneration, including:

Cigarette smoking

Current cigarette smokers have up to six times higher risk of developing macular degeneration than people who don’t smoke (and never have). Additionally, if you smoke cigarettes and develop the condition, you’re more likely to develop as much as a decade earlier than people who don’t smoke.

Genetics

People with a parent who’s affected by macular degeneration have double the risk of developing the disease.

Diet

People who have a lifelong diet that’s low in dark green leafy vegetables are at an increased risk of macular degeneration. This is because green leafy vegetables are the best natural food source of lutein, a vitamin that’s essential for healthy vision. Lutein has antioxidant properties, which can help fight free radical damage, oxidative stress, and inflammation of the eyes.

Female sex

Women have proven to be more likely to develop macular degeneration than men. This could, however, be due to the fact that women generally have longer lifespans than men.

If you’re at risk for macular degeneration due to any of these factors, make sure to receive regular eye exams so that your eye doctor can evaluate you for vision loss. There are several methods that we can implement to slow down and minimize vision loss, especially when macular degeneration is caught in its early stages. Ensuring that you’re getting enough lutein in your diet can also help support macular function.

To learn more about macular degeneration and receive an eye exam, schedule an appointment at The Eye Clinic of Florida today.