VIDEO: Lifestyle modifications help reduce risk of dry AMD progression

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This is likely the most difficult thing, the lifestyle modifications. This includes a healthy diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. We usually recommend leafy green veggies. We recommend fruits and fish. We recommend to quit smoking. Smoking is the most important modifiable risk factor for macular degeneration. Wearing sunglasses, regular exercise, managing other health conditions, such as high blood pressure, cholesterol. AREDS supplements are very important. They actually offer a risk reduction that is substantial for patients who have intermediate dry to go to wet macular degeneration. Regular eye exams are also very important, especially in patients who are at high risk or have a very strong family history. Early detection and monitoring of the disease is crucial for timely intervention. ForeseeHome (Notal Vision) is one of those monitoring systems that patients can use at home and early [on] catch conversion of dry to wet. Nowadays, Home OCT (Notal Vision) is also becoming more available. It is crucial that we catch conversion of dry to wet, and then to geographic atrophy as well, early in the course of the disease because we know that we have the best visual outcomes and clinical outcomes if we start the treatment within 2 weeks from the conversion. Patients should definitely monitor for symptoms on their own. They should report any problems with blurriness, blind spots or distortion. Very interesting, they should test one eye at a time, but for some reason they don’t do that. The patients don’t do that, I don’t know why. Lastly, also, they have to stay informed about what’s new and what are the latest developments in AMD research and the treatment options, and they should talk about all of this to their health care and eye care providers.