How to reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration

Our reporter Wu Xueqin correspondent Huang Fangming

What is age-related macular degeneration

According to Wu Xiaomin, chief physician of the Department of Ophthalmology of Quanzhou First Hospital, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), also known as age-related macular degeneration, is an aging change in the structure of the macula

What are the influencing factors of age-related macular degeneration

Smoking: Smoking significantly increases the risk of AMD, and the risk increases with the amount of smoking, and smoking cessation reduces the risk of AMD progression

Diet: Consumption of unsaturated fatty acids was associated with a lower risk of AMD, with a Mediterranean-style diet reducing the risk of advanced AMD by 41%

Genetics: Genetics is an independent risk factor for AMD and is associated with the environment and inflammation

Aspirin: There may be a link between aspirin use and AMD

Antioxidant levels in the body: Low levels of antioxidants in the body are a risk factor for AMD

Other factors: waist-to-hip ratio, inflammatory markers, and C-reactive protein may be associated with a higher risk of AMD progression.

What are the dietary taboos for age-related macular degeneration

Avoid saturated fatty acids: such as animal fats, animal offal, cakes, mayonnaise, butter,

Avoid smoking and alcohol

Avoid irritating foods: such as chili, mustard, pepper, garlic, ginger,

How to reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration

Wu Xiaomin introduced that many risk factors of AMD cannot be controlled, such as age, family history, etc.

Regular checkups: Regular eye exams can help detect AMD early

Mediterranean diet: eat more vegetables, fruits, fish, seafood, beans, nuts, followed by cereals, and use vegetable oils (containing unsaturated fatty acids) instead of animal oils (containing saturated fatty acids) when cooking, especially advocating the use of olive oil

Taking antioxidant vitamins plus zinc: Delays progression of advanced AMD

　　Diabetes, hypertension patients should actively treat the primary disease

　　Wu Xiaomin, Chief Physician of the Department of Ophthalmology of the First Hospital of Quanzhou City, Member of the Fujian Provincial Ophthalmological Society, Member of the Fujian Provincial Blindness Prevention Expert Group, Deputy Chairman of the Quanzhou Ophthalmological Society, and Deputy Secretary-General of the Quanzhou Medical Association

　　"China Food News" (July 28, 2021 03 edition)

(Editor in charge: Zhou Yan)