Macular Degeneration

[starone]

I've just been diagnosed with age related macular degeneration which means that eventually I will lose the sight in the middle of my eye but for some reason still have peripheral vision. I also have cataracts which they do not want to operate on because I have only partial sight in my right eye and so they are afraid that if something goes wrong and I lose the sight in my left eye I won't have much left. They will operate on the cataracts when it becomes essential. I have to go back in a year's time. Anyway, to get back on to the point, there are certain things that will delay the onset of the macular degeneration. One of them is to eat plenty of dark green vegetables (spinach, broccoli, dark cabbage) fresh water fish and nuts. My problem is I have never liked nuts. Trivial, I know, but I want to do everything I can to delay the macular whatsitsname and so I am asking if anyone knows how I can disguise nuts to make them edible to me. Thanks in anticipation.

[boxtops]

Starby, I'm sorry to hear of your diagnosis - it's one of my fears, being very shortsighted myself and having had posterior vitreous detachment a while back.

How about grinding the nuts up really small, so they are gritty rather than nutty? If you did it "as needed", you'd still retain the goodness of the fresh nut. Have they said which nuts in particular you should eat?

[starone]

No, I think any nut is all right boxtops. I thought about grinding them up but I would still have to disguise the taste of them somehow. I think you can buy ground almonds because my mother used to use them to make marzipan or almond paste for her cakes but I can't do that because I also have to lose weight. Contributory factors are obesity, too much cholesterol and high blood pressure, among other things, all of which I have got. I am not letting myself get depressed by the prospect as I know that as I get older I am sure to get some of these things, but I would like to delay it as long as possible.

[boxtops]

Dear dear - what you say makes me certain I need to look out too. I'm overweight with too high cholesterol (OH has started me on a strict low fat diet now I'm back on the statins...). I know my BP is OK but it's a warning!

[LazyGun]

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis Starbuck - My father is suffering in a very similar fashion, including the need for cateract surgery.

You can retain some peripheral vision in macular degeneration because the problem is occuring in a specific location within the eye - the macula, and this area has a specialised role. It has the largest concentration of cone cells, and is the area of the retina responsible for central, high resolution vision.

I have included a Wiki link which offers some detailed information if you are interested.

Cant help you with the nuts - I love em, myself :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macula

[starone]

Thanks lazygun, there is a lot to learn about it and there are other factors to take into consideration too - one of them being smoking, although I don't have to worry about that. In the article it also tells you of the things you can get to help you, such as a magnifying glass, which doesn't sound much, but if it works I shall use it. I haven't got to that stage yet though. As for the nuts, my husband was also very fond of them but I never was - very annoying.

[Pea Pod]

I am a great believer in the power of omega 3 capsules, it is probably this that you will get from the nuts so if you can't face them a daily dose of this will provide you with the same.
http://ezinearticles....Fatty-Acids&id=977571

[starone]

Thanks peapod, sounds really good. I've read the article and it looks as if it will help me all around, with other things as well as the macular degeneration. And, of course it will solve the problem of the nuts.

[Negomi]

I take eyebright tablets from health food shop containing 10mg lutein and zeaxanthin, found in macula, it may delay onset of m-d, but not proven

[starone]

Negomi - thanks for the information. The doctor at the hospital told me to take Preservision which also contains lutein. I was interested in the name you gave me because she also said I might be able to get cheaper versions. I have bought a bottle of 60 in the hospital and they were £15. I have to take one twice a day with food. As you say, they are not proven, but any port in a storm. When I go to the local health food shop I shall make some enquiries. Thanks again. You are all so helpful.

[Ann]

Can I paint a more postive picture starbuck? When diagnosed the doctors always give a bad forecast of the future development of MD. My Mum was told she had it about 7 years ago, the details and info they gave her to read, scared her to death! But it hasn't happened as they said - her sight has declined a little bit and she now reads large print books, but it has progressed so slowly she has hardly noticed any difference. She is now 88 and her eyesight is nothing to worry about at the moment. Other people may sufffer it quickly to a worse extent but don't despair yet, you may be ok for a very long while.

[masma]

My sister suffered with this and was told that one of the best things to help was blueberries rather than nuts....

[starone]

Thanks ann. I am 85 so I know I shall get something!! I wasn't anticipating it getting worse very quickly, but I thought I would do whatever I can to hold it at bay for as long as possible.
Masma - that sounds a better option to eat than nuts. Thanks.

[Ratty2E]

My husband has macular degeneration although not the age related type, it was diagnosed in his early 30's. He is 50 now and only has peripheral vision and is registered blind but he can still see and still works. As I understand it you will not loose all your vision. Have a look here for some info http://www.maculardisease.org/

[Canary42]

Macular degeneration is often misunderstood by non-sufferers. My 98-year-old mother has suffered from it for many years and is now registered blind and cannot read even large print. But her peripheral vision is still amazing - she can spot a tiny crumb on the carpet, but of course once focusing on it to pick it up it becomes very difficult. Because of this good peripheral vision, other people assume her overall sight is good and fail to take it into account. She had cataracts removed from both eyes many years ago.