If you are searching for a macular degeneration treatment, keep reading. Macular degeneration is a progressive disease of the retina and is related to age. Light-sensing cells in the macula, which is the central area or vision, stop working and then eventually they die. This disease is thought to be caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors.

The most common age for this to strike is age sixty and over. It is the leading cause of impaired vision in senior citizens. If you are in this situation, you want macular degeneration treatment - and you want results. First, here's a little more background on the disease.

Dry Macular Degeneration

The main type of macular degeneration is of the "dry" or "atrophic" form. This is distinguished by yellowish debris deposits in the retina. The material that consists of these deposits is normally carried away by the same blood vessels that bring nutrients to the retina. For some unknown reasons, this process is diminished in macular degeneration.

Dry macular degeneration may occur in one or both eyes and in three stages:

1. "Early" - Identified by several small pieces of yellowish deposits or by only a few. There are no obvious symptoms or loss of vision.
2. "Intermediate" - This is often identified by many medium-sized yellowish pieces of debris or by one or more large, irregular shaped drusen. Symptoms may include a blind or blurred spot.
3. "Advanced Dry" - This is characterized by all of the above symptoms except that the blind spots may become bigger and the distortion more severe.

Treatments and cures for dry AMD and the juvenile forms of MD will likely come from the fields of genetic replacement therapy and stem cell transplantation. A good amount of research is being done in these areas, and we can reasonably expect a cure to be found within a decade.

There is no way to prevent the dry form of macular degeneration. However, certain steps can be taken to slow its progress. Your diet should consist of leafy green vegetables and fresh fruits. Take the recommended daily doses of zinc and antioxidants, supplement your healthy diet with leutin and zeaxanthin, if you go out in the bright sunlight, always make sure you wear a wide-brimmed hat and wrap-around sun glasses, do not smoke, and if your condition worsens, contact a low-vision specialist.

It seems that the major cause of MD is free-radical damage. Therefore, natural treatment is geared to increasing the amount of antioxidants you take especially of Vitamins C and E. You should also supplement with beta-carotene as it will help to repair the damaged inflicted by the free radicals.

Wet Macular Degeneration

Approximately 10-15% of the cases who have macular degeneration are the "wet" form. This occurs when newly formed blood vessels grow from the choroids. They then leak into the spaces that are found below and above the photoreceptor cells. This condition can cause permanent vision loss.

What Can I Expect?

In its worst-case scenario, macular degeneration will damage only the central vision. This comprises less than 5% of the total retina. However, it is responsible for approximately 35% of the visual field. An affected person that has wet macular degeneration will have difficulty driving, reading or recognizing faces. However, the peripheral vision is left virtually untouched

Macular Degeneration Treatment - Natural Options:

Broccoli, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, apples, raspberries, greens, ginger, garlic, leeks, parsley, beets, cabbage, carrots, celery, spinach, kale, collard greens, apples, grapes, raspberries, lemon, chlorophyll, wheat grasses

Avoid drinks and foods with caffeine.

Macular Degeneration Treatment - Herbal Remedies:

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, these herbs offer benefits:

• Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba ), which contains flavonoids, may help halt or lessen some retinal problems. Clinical studies suggest that it may be useful in treating vision problems specifically due to macular degeneration. If you use anticoagulants, do not use ginkgo without close monitoring by your healthcare provider.
• Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus ) and grape seed (Vitis vinifera ) are also high in flavonoids; therefore, they may help prevent and treat macular degeneration. Clinical studies suggest that these herbs may stop vision loss and improve visual sharpness. Here are the recommended doses:

• Ginkgo standardized to 24%, 120 mg once or twice a day
• Bilberry extract standardized to 25%, 120 to 240 mg twice a day
• Grape seed, 50 to 150 mg once or twice a day

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