RVtravel.com readers are mostly in their 50s and older. Because of their “senior” status, the eye disease macular degeneration is a concern for some.
Here is advice about the condition including how to help prevent it, and/or how to manage it.
Macular degeneration is caused by a combination of hereditary and environmental factors. Whether or not the disease runs in your family, there are several recommended steps you can take to help prevent it or slow its progression, according to Sun Young Lee, MD, PhD, a retinal surgeon with Keck Medicine of the University of Southern California.
• Have regular eye exams. Anyone over 50 should schedule an annual exam with their ophthalmologist to check for changes to their retina and macula. The tests are non-invasive and done quickly in your doctor’s office. Early discovery of the disease is key because treatments are available that may slow the disease. The sooner you start them, the more effective they will be.
• Avoid smoking. Smoking has been linked to a higher likelihood of developing macular degeneration.
• Maintain a healthy diet. A low-fat, low-cholesterol diet rich in fruits and green, leafy vegetables can help with eye health. Adding fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and tuna, into your diet once or twice a week can also help.
• Ask your doctor about supplements. Nutritional supplements that contain lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) may help slow down the progression of early macular degeneration.
• Wear sunglasses when outside. Select a pair with ultraviolet radiation (UV) protection, as exposure to UV light can damage the retina and may increase the odds of developing macular degeneration.
MORE RVER HEALTH INFORMATION
- How to balance RVing and frequent healthcare visits
- Study says fresh air beats the gym for boosting mood and health
- Full-time RV health insurance options
- Adjusting your RV travels for medical needs
- Getting sick, or worse, while RVing: Precautions to take
- Medicare coverage tips for RVers
- Can drinking more water really make you healthier? Experts weigh in
RVT1240
I am caring for my aunt with dry macular degeneration. We found out through her new eye doctor about low vision clinics. They have been around for decades, but I have never heard of them. We went for her consultation appointment, where she was given an exam by their physician. She also underwent eye mapping/imaging to get an idea of exactly where her vision was limited in each eye. After that, we were scheduled to see the vision therapist, who was fantastic and gave my aunt all kinds of ideas to help her function, as well as visual aids. We ended up bringing home a large tabletop machine that has a moving platen and huge magnifying screen. She can now read magazines, mail, write notes etc.
Check your health insurance – yes that has been covered multiple times in this forum, but bears repeating. My spouse has MD – one eye is treatable. We have set up with one practitioner in the north (summer) and one in the south (winter). The two practices do a semi-annual handoff.
I use two hospital systems for my health needs the same way. Both hospitals use the same medical records back-end provider. While I needed to proactively authorize it, all my records are linked and accessible by both hospital systems’ medical personnel.
My partner is 72 and a former smoker. She has wet MD and receives eye injections monthly. She limits night driving but manages with glare-reducing lenses. Healthy diet & lifestyle can hopefully slow down progression.