Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
Dr. Katia Taba, Board-Certified Ophthalmologist and Retinal Specialist
Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in aging adults. More than 10 million Americans have some form of Aging Macular Degeneration (AMD), and unfortunately, there is still no cure for the disease. The retina becomes damaged, and vision loss occurs as the cells of the macula begin to deteriorate. Although it is a very complex disease and still not completely understood, it can be brought on by both hereditary and environmental factors.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration Risk Factors
• Age: 50’s and older
• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• Family history of AMD
• Being overweight
• Excessive sun exposure
• Caucasians with light eyes and fair skin
• Diet’s high in saturated fats and high glycemic carbohydrates
Mediterranean Diet
Well known for its ability to help stave off chronic diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular disorders and Parkinson’s, the Mediterranean diet is a healthy way of eating that embodies the foods of the countries that border the Mediterranean Sea.
The basics of the diet are consuming mostly fruits and vegetables, along with whole grains, legumes, nuts and olive oil. The majority of animal protein is from fish and seafood, while some poultry and eggs, cheese and yogurt are acceptable. Red wine, in moderation, is encouraged on this diet. Meat, sugar and unhealthy fats are rarely ever eaten.
The Mediterranean diet is not only abundant in leafy greens, vegetables, and fruits but also healthy fats or monosaturated fats from foods like avocados; cold pressed olive oil, nuts, and fish. In the Mediterranean lifestyle, saturated fats are minimal. This way of eating helps to lower the bad cholesterol, LDL and is known to be heart healthy. Two recent studies were conducted to measure the effects of this diet and reducing age-related macular degeneration, both of which, reported significant evidence of lowering the incidence of the disease in patients on a Mediterranean diet.
Additional Study Coimbra Eye Study
Presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) 2016 annual meeting, two Portuguese populations were studied and their individual data was analyzed to see the effects of the Mediterranean diet in association with AMD.
In the Coimbra Eye Study, 883 participants over the age of 55 were followed for two years, 448 of them developed early macular degeneration, and 434 did not. Based on their diet, participants that followed the Mediterranean way of eating had a 35% lower chance of developing AMD. In particular, those individuals who had a higher amount of fruit in their diet showed significant reductions in developing AMD. More specifically, those who consumed at least 5 ounces of fruit at day were 15% less likely to develop AMD. The study also interestingly showed a benefit from caffeine consumption, which is not routinely thought of as part of the Mediterranean diet.
A second study was conducted in Portugal. In this study, 4,370 people from a coastal town that consumed the healthy Mediterranean way of eating was compared to 8,692 people from a central town that ate mostly saturated fats from animal protein; the coastal town participants had only 6.99% evidence of AMD compared to the central town participants that showed 15.39% AMD.
To incorporate the Mediterranean Diet into your lifestyle, eat a well-balanced diet full of fruit and plant-based foods, fresh wild caught fatty fish, beans, seeds, and nuts. Exercise is also paramount in preventing AMD. Your annual eye exams are critical for the early detection of the disease, and there are progressive treatment options to help maintain your retina and macula health.
If you or someone you love is developing eye irregularities, blurry vision, or vision loss, please make sure to schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist immediately to help prevent any further damage to your eyesight.
Personalized Retina Care of Naples provides incomparable diagnosis, medical and surgical treatment for retinal conditions and disorders. Dr. Taba is a Board Certified Ophthalmologist and is Fellowship trained in surgical and medical retinal diseases.
To find out more, or to schedule your appointment, please call (239) 325-3970 today.
Dr. Katia E. Taba is a Board Certified Opht halmologist who opened her practice, Personalized Retina Care of Naples, to provide individualized and patient-centered care in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Significantly, she will take the time
to explain all aspects of her plan of care to the patient and family.
She acquired extensive experience from her prior role as an instructor and assistant professor at a teaching hospital and many years of training in both medical and surgical vitreoretinal diseases. All diagnostic equipment is the state-of-the-art for accurate diagnosis allowing the best visual results.
Often times same day appointments are available at our conveniently located facility in the center of Naples at the Pine Ridge Road and Livingston Road intersection, off of I-75 exit 107.
For more information, please visit www.retinanaples.com, or call our office at 239-325-3970.
Personalized Retina Care
3467 Pine Ridge Road Suite 103
Naples 34109