Macular degeneration is caused by the deterioration of the central portion of the retina, the inside back layer of the eye that records the images we see and sends them via the optic nerve from the eye to the brain. The retina’s central portion, known as the macula, is responsible for focusing central vision in the eye, and it controls our ability to read, drive a car, recognize faces or colors, and see objects in fine detail.
A new study appearing in the Archives of Opthamology (2008 Oct;126[10]:1396-403) supports the findings of a lot of other research studies—that protecting the eyes from light and making sure there are a lot of antioxidants in the diet can protect from macular degeneration. Macular degeneration affects more than 10 million Americans. It is an incurable eye disease and that it is the leading cause of blindness for those aged 55 and older. As people age the chances for developing eye diseases increase dramatically.
The researchers looked at 4,400 elderly subjects who were taking part in the European Eye Study. Data was taken from the subjects about lifelong sun exposure. The subjects were also tested for levels of antioxidants in the blood. The participants with low antioxidant levels and high exposure to sunlight tended to have a greater risk of developing macular degeneration.
