Vision changes are the rule, not the exception as we grow older. As I sit here wearing my own pair of “drug-store readers”, I
recall a young male employee of mine who remarked on them, saying “those glasses make you look old”. I replied, “When you find a
pair of reading glasses that make people look young, let me know, and we’ll both be millionaires”. Apparently, reading glasses
changed not only what I saw, but how others saw me.
The reason we need glasses as we age is usually “presbyopia” (presby meaning “old” and “opia” meaning eye, in Greek). This is not a
problem with sharpness of vision (acuity); rather, it is due to stiffness in the lens of the eye which makes it less agile at making the
changes needed for near vision activities such as reading.
What is Macular Degeneration?
Macular degeneration (aka Age-related Macular Degeneration, or AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the U.S. among people
over 65 years of age. It causes damage to and loss of nerve cells in the back of the eye, in the macula. This area is rich in cones, the
cells which enable us to see fine detail and color. Between ages fifty-five and sixty-four years of age, one in six Americans is at risk for
macular degeneration. That increases to one in four between ages sixty-five and seventy-four, and one in three after age seventy-
five. While the causes of age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) are complicated, and not fully understood, one known risk is
exposure to UV light. In its Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), The National Eye Institute found that taking a specific high-dose
formulation of antioxidants and zinc significantly reduces the risk of advanced AMD and its associated vision loss. Specific daily
amounts of antioxidants and zinc used by the study researchers were 500 milligrams of vitamin C, 400 International Units of vitamin E,
15 milligrams of beta-carotene (often labeled as equivalent to 25,000 International Units of vitamin A), 80 milligrams of zinc as zinc
oxide, and two milligrams of copper as cupric oxide. This formulation is now widely available over-the- counter.
Sunglasses May Be Protective
Wearing sunglasses may help you to appear “cool”. More importantly, wearing those with UV protection you may prevent vision
problems including cataracts and macular degeneration. Of course, it is of great importance to choose sunglasses that look good on
you. Big black frames suit some; others prefer rhinestones. Aviator shades also make an individual statement. Tinted granny glasses
are fabulous at any age. The choice is yours.
More Information for You:
Resources available from the National Eye Institute include information on clinical trials, eye health, and visual aid. http://www.nei.nih.
gov/
National Eye Institute
31 Center Drive MSC 2510
Bethesda, MD 20892-2510
(301) 496-5248
Research Highlights and detailed explanations of Macular Degeneration. (Macular Degeneration Foundation)
http://www.eyesight.org/
A large print website designed for those with Macular Degeneration. http://www.macular-degeneration.org/
A site with information about Macular Degeneration which allows the size and the color of the text and background to be changed for
easier reading. (American Health Assistance Foundation)
http://www.ahaf.org/macular/about/maabout.htm
Books
D’Amato R, Snyder J, D’Amato R. Macular Degeneration: The Latest Scientific Discoveries and Treatments for Preserving Your Sight.
Walker Publishing Co Inc, 2000.
Mogk LG, Mogk M. Macular Degeneration--The Complete Guide To Saving And Maximizing Your Sight, Ballantine Publishing Group
1999.
recall a young male employee of mine who remarked on them, saying “those glasses make you look old”. I replied, “When you find a
pair of reading glasses that make people look young, let me know, and we’ll both be millionaires”. Apparently, reading glasses
changed not only what I saw, but how others saw me.
The reason we need glasses as we age is usually “presbyopia” (presby meaning “old” and “opia” meaning eye, in Greek). This is not a
problem with sharpness of vision (acuity); rather, it is due to stiffness in the lens of the eye which makes it less agile at making the
changes needed for near vision activities such as reading.
What is Macular Degeneration?
Macular degeneration (aka Age-related Macular Degeneration, or AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the U.S. among people
over 65 years of age. It causes damage to and loss of nerve cells in the back of the eye, in the macula. This area is rich in cones, the
cells which enable us to see fine detail and color. Between ages fifty-five and sixty-four years of age, one in six Americans is at risk for
macular degeneration. That increases to one in four between ages sixty-five and seventy-four, and one in three after age seventy-
five. While the causes of age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) are complicated, and not fully understood, one known risk is
exposure to UV light. In its Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), The National Eye Institute found that taking a specific high-dose
formulation of antioxidants and zinc significantly reduces the risk of advanced AMD and its associated vision loss. Specific daily
amounts of antioxidants and zinc used by the study researchers were 500 milligrams of vitamin C, 400 International Units of vitamin E,
15 milligrams of beta-carotene (often labeled as equivalent to 25,000 International Units of vitamin A), 80 milligrams of zinc as zinc
oxide, and two milligrams of copper as cupric oxide. This formulation is now widely available over-the- counter.
Sunglasses May Be Protective
Wearing sunglasses may help you to appear “cool”. More importantly, wearing those with UV protection you may prevent vision
problems including cataracts and macular degeneration. Of course, it is of great importance to choose sunglasses that look good on
you. Big black frames suit some; others prefer rhinestones. Aviator shades also make an individual statement. Tinted granny glasses
are fabulous at any age. The choice is yours.
More Information for You:
Resources available from the National Eye Institute include information on clinical trials, eye health, and visual aid. http://www.nei.nih.
gov/
National Eye Institute
31 Center Drive MSC 2510
Bethesda, MD 20892-2510
(301) 496-5248
Research Highlights and detailed explanations of Macular Degeneration. (Macular Degeneration Foundation)
http://www.eyesight.org/
A large print website designed for those with Macular Degeneration. http://www.macular-degeneration.org/
A site with information about Macular Degeneration which allows the size and the color of the text and background to be changed for
easier reading. (American Health Assistance Foundation)
http://www.ahaf.org/macular/about/maabout.htm
Books
D’Amato R, Snyder J, D’Amato R. Macular Degeneration: The Latest Scientific Discoveries and Treatments for Preserving Your Sight.
Walker Publishing Co Inc, 2000.
Mogk LG, Mogk M. Macular Degeneration--The Complete Guide To Saving And Maximizing Your Sight, Ballantine Publishing Group
1999.
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Jeepers Creepers Take Care of those Peepers!
Healthy Vision
Healthy Vision
from Living Olcer, Living Better! by Katrina Gwinn, MD
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