Vision decline or loss can affect our quality of life more than the impairment of any other sense. Degenerative changes that occur as we age can cause eye conditions ranging from moderate to severe vision loss to the point of total blindness.
After entering the eye, light from external objects strikes the retina where the details of the visual image are created and transferred to the brain via the optic nerve. The macula comprises the portion of the retina responsible for central vision
, allowing us to see fine details clearly.
With age, the macula can deteriorate causing a condition known as age-related macular degeneration or AMD. AMD is the leading cause of vision loss for Americans over the age of 60, and early detection can make a difference in treatment and outcome. In the early stages of dry macular degeneration, affected eyes experience a general blurring of the central vision. With wet AMD, bleeding under the macula can cause rapid vision loss or complete blindness.
Research shows that supplementation with lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin can improve vision and retinal health. Nutritional supplements with antioxidants can help forestall the progress of macular degeneration.
