Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common eye disease that can lead to blurry vision. There are two types: wet AMD and the most common from, dry AMD. In some cases, dry AMD may progress to wet AMD; in other cases, it may lead to progressive degeneration of the macula, known as geographic atrophy (GA).
“Geographic atrophy is the thinning or the loss of tissue. Like how muscles atrophy and get thinner and weaker, the same thing can happen to eye tissues,” says Judy E. Kim, MD, former president of the American Society of Retina Specialists, in Chicago. “Eventually, the tissue is gone, and it never comes back. You’re never able to use that part of the eye again.”
When it comes to treatment of AMD, early diagnosis is crucial, as is sticking to your treatment plan. While doctors are currently unable to reverse the damage from dry AMD, there are things you can do to slow the progression of the disease, such as quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, and taking supplements. Start with these steps.
1. Schedule Regular Eye Checkups
Everyone over age 50 should schedule an annual eye exam. This can not only help diagnose eye conditions early on, but also spot any signs that your vision may be worsening if you have AMD. (Early diagnosis and treatment of geographic atrophy can’t prevent GA, but it can help you preserve as much of your vision as possible.)
“It is very important that anyone who has dry AMD continue to monitor their eyes,” says Dr. Kim. In addition to seeing an ophthalmologist, it can be helpful to test your vision on your own periodically to spot any vision changes early. “Cover one eye and look at something straight — straight lines, straight curtains, straight tiles — and if they start looking crooked, missing, or blurry, that’s a reason to go see a retina specialist,” she says.
2. Ask About Supplements
If you have intermediate AMD in one or both eyes, AREDS2 supplements may help prevent it from progressing to late AMD. If you have late AMD in one eye, these supplements may help slow the progression of AMD in the other eye.
AREDS2 supplements aren’t thought to be useful in preventing early AMD from progressing to intermediate AMD, though, or helping people who have developed late AMD in both eyes.
3. Watch Your Blood Pressure, Cholesterol and Blood Sugar Levels
Check in regularly with your primary care doctor to make sure you don’t have any undetected or unmanaged health concerns, such as hypertension, high cholesterol, or high blood sugar levels.
High cholesterol levels can lead to degeneration in the retina that can play a role in AMD disease development and progression. High blood sugar levels and diabetes have also been associated with AMD.
Controlling blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels will ultimately be beneficial to your eye health.
4. Reach and Maintain a Healthy BMI
5. Consider Eating a Mediterranean Diet
A Mediterranean diet involves focusing mostly on:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Healthy fats (including plenty of omega-3s)
- Legumes, such as beans and lentils
- Nuts
- Whole grains
“Try to eat less red meat, trans fats, and refined carbohydrates,” she adds.
6. Stay Active
Exercise can help keep your blood pressure levels in the healthy range, too, which is good for your eyes.
Try to be active for 30 minutes a day, five days a week. “It doesn’t have to be 30 minutes continuously,” says Kim. “Break it up: Try exercising for 10 minutes, three times a day.”
7. Quit Smoking
8. Wear UV Protection
“Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can be harmful to your eyes,” says Kim. Anytime you’re outside, whether you’re taking a walk around the block or playing a round of golf, be sure to wear UV protection, such as sunglasses or a wide-brimmed hat.
9. Know Your Family History
Kim recommends searching your family history to see if an aunt, uncle, or other relative had macular degeneration or geographic atrophy. If you do have a family history, your doctor may recommend getting eye checkups more frequently to monitor for AMD. That way, they can catch it early if you do develop it — or keep your AMD in check if you already have it — which can help you take the right steps to reduce your risk of it progressing to GA.
If you do develop geographic atrophy, there are now treatment options. In 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved two eye injections to slow the progression of GA: pegcetacoplan injection (Syfovre) and avacincaptad pegol intravitreal solution (Izervay). “Until now, we had no treatment whatsoever,” says Kim.
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