Last week, we here at Freedom Home Care dedicated a blog to explain age-related macular degeneration, a condition that affects more than 15 million Americans. In that blog, we promised to deliver methods that could help those who suffer from AMD. And thanks to the editors at AllAboutVision.com, we learned that there are multiple ways to do so.
Here are a 11 guidelines, courtesy of AllAboutVision.com, to help prevent or slow the progression of AMD:

1. 1. Don’t smoke. Period.
2. 2. Eat plenty of dark, leafy green vegetables, such as raw spinach. Just a half cup of raw spinach three times a week is good.
3. 3. Take a multivitamin/multimineral supplement, such as Centrum Silver, unless your doctor advises otherwise.
4. 4. If you already have AMD, ask your doctor about one of the AREDS formulations, such as Alcon I-Caps, Bausch + Lomb Ocuvite PreserVision or ScienceBased Health MacularProtect Complete.
5. 5. Eat fish or take a fish oil supplement. I recommend taking two enteric-coated fish oil capsules every day on days you don’t eat fish. Why enteric-coated? Because it’s designed to help the capsule pass through your stomach unaltered until it finally breaks apart in the intestines; that way, you won’t belch up that fishy taste!
6. 6. Exercise regularly, and stay at a healthy weight.
7. 7. Eat fruit and nuts daily.
8. 8. Reduce refined carbohydrates (high-glycemic index foods).
9. 9. Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under control. Regular exercise and weight control can help manage your blood pressure and cholesterol.
10. 10. Wear appropriate sunglasses outdoors to block UV and blue light that may cause eye damage.
11. 11. Have regular eye exams.

If you or your loved one are affected by macular degeneration and need help at home, don’t hesitate to contact Freedom Home Care. We’re here to help with a variety of services to keep you happy and comfortable at home.