How does air pollution cause eye problems?
“This new study shows an association between air pollution and AMD risk, but we still don’t know the mechanism,” said Raj Maturi, MD, clinical spokesman for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “We know that increased inflammation increases the risk of dry macular degeneration and that pollutants increase the inflammatory response.”
How do I know if I have age-related macular degeneration?
Symptoms include loss of central vision, blurred vision, or seeing “wavy” lines.
In the early stages of AMD, people usually notice no change in their vision. Therefore, it is vital to have your eyes checked regularly by an eye doctor.
Reduces the risk of vision loss due to macular degeneration
While some factors may be out of your control, you can make some lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of vision loss from AMD. These healthy habits include not smoking, eating an eye-healthy diet, and exercising regularly.
“Our genes contribute almost half of some people’s risk of developing macular degeneration. Of course, we can’t change this – although drugs are currently being studied that could solve this problem, “says Dr Maturi. “Risk factors that we can change include smoking, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.”
For eye diseases like wet macular degeneration, early diagnosis is most effective. Make sure to have regular, comprehensive eye exams to reduce the risk of vision loss.
