Age-related macular degeneration:Middle-aged and senior citizens should pay attention!

Age-related macular degeneration can develop as early as the 40s in some people.
Although it was once considered a relatively rare disease among Japanese people, it has been increasing in recent years due to the aging population and the Westernization of dietary habits.
In Europe and the United States, it is the leading cause of blindness, while in Japan, it is the second leading cause after glaucoma.
Since anyone can get it, the first thing to do is focus on prevention.
And let's be careful to prevent it from becoming severe by detecting and treating it early.

What is age-related macular degeneration?

What is age-related macular degeneration?

Damage to the macula, a crucial part of the retina for vision, significantly reduces visual acuity compared to when other parts of the retina are affected. This can make it difficult to renew a driver's license or read. If left untreated, it can even lead to blindness, so it's important to see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible if you experience any symptoms.

Age-related macular degeneration self-check

Age-related macular degeneration self-check

Testing method

Hold the chart about 30 cm away from your eyes, and while wearing glasses or contact lenses, look at the center dot on the chart with one eye at a time (covering it with the closed eye).

  • Doesn't the line look distorted?
  • Do you ever feel like you can't see the center?
  • Doesn't it look like it's partially missing?

If you notice anything unusual about your vision, please consult an ophthalmologist immediately.

Prevention is absolutely essential!

Macular pigment decreases with age; lutein deficiency increases the risk of age-related macular degeneration.

While significant progress has been made in understanding the pathogenesis and treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD) over the past decade, there is still no treatment that can completely restore the eye to its original state. All treatments aim to slow the progression of the disease and maintain or restore lost vision. Therefore, early detection, early treatment, and prevention are absolutely crucial!

What preventative measures can we take now?

To prevent age-related macular degeneration, it is important to increase the pigment in the macula, quit smoking, and maintain a balanced diet (e.g., a diet centered on fish). To increase the pigment in the macula, it is important to consume green and yellow vegetables, but since it is difficult to obtain enough through diet alone, there are reports that using lutein and zeaxanthin supplements is also effective.