2023-09-10 15:03:02
Understanding macular degeneration
Representative degenerative eye diseases caused by aging
Doubt even when things look black
Avoiding salty foods, quitting smoking and drinking alcohol is essential.
As we age, degenerative changes occur throughout the body. The same goes for the eyes. The eye is a complex organ made up of over 1 million nerve fibers. It ages quickly and is easily damaged by external stimuli. Ultimately, as you age, the risk of developing eye diseases that affect your vision inevitably increases. In particular, macular degeneration is considered a representative degenerative eye disease caused by aging. Symptoms usually appear in people over 50 years of age, and the incidence increases with age. Missing the right treatment time can lead to blindness, so special care is needed.
The macula refers to the central part of the retina where the most visual cells in the eye are concentrated. Identify objects and distinguish colors. When the macula is damaged due to aging or external factors, macular degeneration occurs. The density of macular pigment decreases and its function deteriorates. In the early stages of occurrence, letters and straight lines appear curved or objects appear distorted. Then, vision rapidly declines and central vision becomes blurred. When you cannot see both near and far, and when objects appear black or distorted, you should suspect macular degeneration.
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Risk of blindness if treatment is missed
You should not let down your guard just because you are young. Recently, the number of macular degeneration patients in their 40s has also increased significantly. According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of patients in their 40s who received treatment for macular degeneration was 13,825 in 2020. This is a 69.3% increase compared to 8,165 people in 2010, 10 years ago. This is due to the rapid increase in the use of digital video devices such as smartphones. Blue light emitted from smartphones, TVs, and computer monitors is a major factor causing eye fatigue and irritation. It has relatively strong energy, causing damage to the eyes and deteriorating vision.
Once the macula, a nervous tissue, is damaged, it is difficult to recover. Therefore, it is necessary to make efforts to keep the macula healthy from a young age. If macular degeneration is in an advanced state, it is best to manage it for life to prevent it from getting worse. To prevent macular degeneration, you must improve your daily lifestyle habits. The key is to maintain proper eating habits and lifestyle habits that minimize eye fatigue.
First, the ingredients that make up the macula must be sufficiently replenished. Lutein and zeaxanthin are representative examples. Lutein and zeaxanthin are components of the macular, which are responsible for 90% of vision. Lutein makes up the entire macula, and the central part of the macula is made up of zeaxanthin. These ingredients help maintain the density of macular pigment, improving visual function and preventing eye diseases such as macular degeneration.
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Lutein and zeaxanthin slow down macular aging
However, the lutein and zeaxanthin content in the eyes decreases following the age of 25. It is not produced naturally in the body and must be supplemented from outside. This is why you need to take lutein and zeaxanthin as you age. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety recommends a daily intake of lutein and zeaxanthin of 20 mg. In fact, according to a research team at Franklin University in the United States, people who regularly consumed lutein and zeaxanthin showed a 12.1% improvement in their visual ability compared to those who did not.
In particular, green and yellow vegetables are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin. Representative foods include carrots, spinach, broccoli, and kale. If you find it difficult to eat foods that are good for your eyes every time, it is a good idea to supplement nutrients through health functional foods containing lutein and zeaxanthin. Lutein and zeaxanthin ingredients extracted from marigold flowers can act on the entire macula to maintain pigment density and contribute to eye health. When choosing a nutritional supplement, you should carefully check whether it contains zeaxanthin. It is important to fill the macular pigment up to the center of the macula by supplementing with zeaxanthin along with lutein.
Additionally, it is helpful to eat a balanced diet of nutrient-rich foods and avoid salty foods and coffee. Smoking cessation and moderation are essential. When using electronic devices, it is advisable to maintain a distance of 40 to 50 cm between your eyes and the monitor. When you must engage in outdoor activities, wear a hat or sunglasses to block UV rays. Regular physical activity is helpful for eye health, but exercise that increases intraocular pressure can cause damage to the optic nerve. Middle-aged and older people should refrain from excessive sit-ups, handstands, and bar exercises. Deterioration of vision is often difficult to recognize on its own. Therefore, it is a good idea to visit an ophthalmologist regularly to check the health of your eyes.
Shin Young-kyung (shin.youngkyung@joongang.co.kr)
1694372434
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