How to Lower Your Risk for Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration

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Imagine not being able to make out the details of a friend’s face, missing important information when you read a bill, or being surprised at the checkout when the price of an item doesn’t ring up at the amount you thought was printed on the tag. Wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can have these effects, because it compromises your central vision and ability to see contrast. As a result, wet AMD can make it difficult to read, write, cook, shop, and drive, says Lylas Mogk, MD , of the Henry Ford Center for Vision Rehabilitation and Research in Michigan and past chair of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Vision Rehabilitation Committee. How can you avoid loss of vision due to wet AMD? While some risk factors can’t be avoided, there are several changes you can make to lower your chances of developing this eye condition. Wet AMD Risk Factors You Can’t Control Wet AMD happens when abnormal blood vessels form in the part of the eye that allows you to see straight in front of you. Those blood vessels may leak fluid (causing retinal swelling, or edema) or blood, which can cause central vision loss and make it harder to see contrast and details. It starts with dry AMD , which does not cause edema or bleeding but, for about 10 to 20 percent of people, the dry form will develop into wet AMD, according to the AAO.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629da336c0e-ba09-4d2e-aa2d-2deda6c62f8c These factors are thought to contribute to the development of AMD. Age Your risk increases as you age. According to the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute at UCI School of Medicine, signs of AMD are present in about 14 percent of people between ages 55 and 64.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762906b5c602-687e-4ee2-8af9-51a27124a5e4 That percentage increases to 20 percent for people 65 to 75 and up to 40 percent of adults older than 75. Family History If someone in your immediate family has AMD, you’re more likely to develop it and genetics are thought to play a role.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762906b5c602-687e-4ee2-8af9-51a27124a5e4 Other factors that may put you at risk for AMD include having light-colored eyes, being female (perhaps because women generally live longer than men), and being caucasian (possibly due to factors of genetics and pigmentation).e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629d7994fea-27ea-4670-b3d9-a01910dde91c Wet AMD Risk Factors You Can Change The good news is that certain risk factors for wet AMD can be controlled. These include: Smoking In addition to its other health threats, smoking may also damage chemical compounds in the eye or break down protective nutrients that can then result in damage to the macula and lead to vision problems, according to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629af1657d2-c4cd-4fd7-ba34-85a74cb544ec Smoking may also cause less blood and oxygen to reach the eye. If you smoke, quit as soon as possible to lower your risk, says R. Theodore Smith, MD , a professor of ophthalmology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. An Unhealthy Diet A diet full of red meat and processed and packaged foods has been associated with an increased risk for AMD. On the other hand, following more of an anti-inflammatory Mediterranean-style diet that focuses on fish with omega-3 fatty acids, nuts, vegetables, legumes, fruits, and whole grains has been shown to lower risk for advanced AMD, according to a study published in the journal Ophthalmology .e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976299603e68d-0ec7-4309-b9b9-11cd8288eb7a RELATED: Managing Wet AMD: 8 Key Nutrients to Include in Your Diet Uncontrolled High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, or Heart Disease Stress on your body’s vascular system can weaken blood vessels in your eyes and make them more likely to rupture, which can lead to wet AMD, Dr. Smith says. Lowering your risk for cardiovascular problems by eating healthy , exercising regularly, and being treated by a doctor if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol , or heart disease can help keep your eyes healthy. Overweight or Obesity A study in the journal Science found that obesity or a history of obesity can alter the immune system and, therefore, cause harm to the eye, such as developing wet AMD as you age.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976290fa3f2d0-9c28-400b-a4eb-26fb067920af That echoes the findings of an earlier study, which noted that having a higher body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference — two signs of being overweight — increases your chances of developing wet AMD.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629517f805b-f95d-4b83-bdbf-e922327161c3 Eating a diet rich in leafy green vegetables (full of antioxidants) and lean protein, and minimizing the amount of fatty foods you eat (including red meat) can help you lower your risk for both obesity and wet AMD, Smith says. Excessive Sun Exposure Research on the link between sunlight and AMD risk is mixed, but according to an analysis published in BMC Ophthalmology , protecting your eyes from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays is just as important as shielding your skin.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976299fab44d8-b5d5-42a7-a89c-7e1e532a62bf Always wear UV-protective sunglasses when outdoors, even on cloudy days. Skipping Regular Dilated Eye Exams The beginning stages of wet AMD present no symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose early on. Wet AMD prevention starts with a complete, dilated eye exam. But, according to a 2023 survey by the American Society of Retina Specialists, 20 percent of respondents said they actively avoid dilation during an eye exam. Dilated eye exams are the best way to identify wet AMD and one of the easiest ways to help prevent its progression.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629f9c3cd12-3270-490c-8eec-51c7d4196380 AREDS: Supplements You May Want to Take The Age Related Eye Disease Studies , sponsored by the National Eye Institute, found that a combination of vitamins and minerals, in supplement form, can slow the rate of development of intermediate, dry AMD in 30 percent of people who take it. Called AREDS, after the clinical trials that investigated them, this combination may slow or prevent the progression of dry AMD to the wet form in the future. The NEI notes, however, that AREDS 2 supplements can’t prevent early AMD from developing into intermediate AMD. AREDS2 , the latest formulation, contains: 400 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C 400 mg of vitamin E 80 mg of zinc 10 mg of lutein 2 mg of zeaxanthin 2 mg of copper Talk to your doctor before starting any supplements, though, as some of them may interact with medications you’re taking. Regardless of your risk level for wet AMD, it’s wise to minimize it by taking all the steps above and getting your eyes checked on a regular basis.

Are you and your partner neglecting sex play? Learn how to add it back into your routine to boost your bond in and out of the bedroom. While "quickies" can be fun and spontaneous, skipping foreplay means missing out on a great way to connect emotionally and physically. According to Pepper Schwartz, PhD, a sexual health expert and researcher at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, foreplay is critical, elemental, and necessary. Foreplay, also known as "outercourse," is any sexual activity that occurs before intercourse. There is no single way to engage in foreplay, as it can mean different things to different people. It can involve kissing, caressing, cuddling, flirty texting or talking, massage, and oral sex. If you like it a little rough, biting, pinching, scratching, and spanking can be a turn-on. The goal is to increase sexual excitement, which can help prepare the body for intercourse. Foreplay is sometimes thought of as a warm-up for sex, but it doesn't necessarily have to lead to intercourse. Some couples find foreplay itself to be sexually fulfilling as a main event. The benefits of foreplay include lubrication of the vagina, an extended erection, and the prevention of premature ejaculation for people with penises. The female body pulls the uterus up when aroused, lengthening the vagina. This process, called uterine tenting, creates a pool area for semen, which is part of the reproductive sophistication of our machinery, according to Dr. Schwartz. As those muscles relax, the nerve endings start to get stimulated, paving the way for a more pleasurable experience. Research involving married couples has found that 1 to 10 minutes of foreplay was associated with 40% of women achieving orgasm during sex. That percentage rose to 50 with 12 to 20 minutes of foreplay and 60 with more than 20 minutes of foreplay. If you want more action in bed, you have to let your partner know what you want. But talking about sex can be easier said than done for some. Dr. Lyndsey Harper, a clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Texas A&M School of Medicine in Bryan, Texas, recommends two sentence starters to try when expressing sexual desire to your partner: "I want you to..." and "It feels so good when you...". If it makes you more comfortable, you can bring up your sexual needs outside of the bedroom. If you don't know how to bring it up, she suggests starting the conversation with something like, "Our sex life is really important, and I'd love for us to feel open talking about things. Would it be okay for me to share with you some things I like?" Communication comfort is closely linked to trust. To experience true intimacy and fun foreplay, trusting each other is essential, especially since our needs constantly change. Couples who find it difficult to communicate about their desires should consider seeing a couple's counselor or sex therapist who can help them navigate these discussions.
  • Foreplay is just play. Couples can engage in it however they want. According to Dr. Harper, it generally takes about 20 minutes of arousal for women to become fully lubricated and ready for penetrative sex. However, it is best to abolish the idea of "foreplay" and the "main event" of penetrative sex and work together with your partner to create a fun and intimate sexual life where everyone's needs are met.

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