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      • About Macular Degeneration
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      • What Happens?
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      • Charles Bonnet Syndrome
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      • About Diabetic Retinopathy
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    • Home
    • Macular Disease
      • Macular Degeneration
        • About Macular Degeneration
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        • What Happens?
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        • Myopic Macular Degeneration
        • Retinal Detachment
        • Retinitis Pigmentosa
        • Retinal Vein Occlusion
        • Stargardt Disease
        • Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSC)
        • Posterior Vitreous Detachment and Floaters
        • Vitreomacular Traction Syndrome
      • Visit Eye Health Professional
        • Eye Injection Costs and Rebates
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        • Anti-VEGF injections for macular disease
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Macular Disease

  • Macular Degeneration
    • Check My Macula
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    • About Macular Degeneration
      • How The Eye Works
    • What Happens?
    • Risk Factors
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      • Lifestyle
      • Nutrition
        • Nutrient Content of Foods
      • Supplements
    • Detection
      • Early Signs
      • Changes to Vision
      • Professional Testing
      • Amsler Grid
    • Diagnosis
    • Treatment
      • Early and Intermediate Macular Degeneration
      • Wet Macular Degeneration
      • Dry Macular Degeneration
    • Charles Bonnet Syndrome
    • Cataracts and Macular Degeneration
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Diabetic Retinopathy
    • About Diabetic Retinopathy
      • How the Eye Works
    • About Diabetes
      • Diabetes and the Eye
    • What Happens?
    • Risk Factors
    • Prevention
    • Detection
      • Testing
    • Diagnosis
    • Treatment
      • Diabetes Care Team
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Low Vision
    • Living with Low Vision
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      • Legal blindness
    • Other Macular Diseases
      • Best Disease
      • Macular Hole
      • Macular Pucker
      • Macular Telangiectasia
      • Myopic Macular Degeneration
      • Retinal Detachment
      • Retinitis Pigmentosa
      • Retinal Vein Occlusion
      • Stargardt Disease
      • Posterior Vitreous Detachment and Floaters
      • Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSC)
      • Vitreomacular Traction Syndrome
    • Visit Eye Health Professional
      • Eye Injection Costs and Rebates
    • Macular Disease
      • Anti-VEGF injections for macular disease

    Lifestyle

    It is possible to reduce the risk of macular degeneration and / or slow its progression by making positive changes to your lifestyle. Here are some suggestions:

    Quit smoking

    Smoking increases our chances of developing macular degeneration by a factor of three. Studies have also shown that smokers develop macular degeneration around ten years earlier than non-smokers.

    To help plan and implement a strategy to quit smoking speak to your GP and / or call the Quitline: 13 7848 or visit Quit Now  for information and support.

    Exercise

    As we get older, physical fitness is essential for everyday tasks, such as getting in and out of chairs, carrying the shopping or lifting grandchildren. However people with low vision and people who feel unsteady on their feet may, over time, do less walking. Consequently muscles can get weaker and joints stiffen, lessening our ability to be well balanced. Regular exercise at all ages improves balance, strength, mobility and reaction time, and can reduce the risks of injury in the event of a fall. Being physically active also helps manage chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, depression and high blood pressure.

    Some researchers believe that people with an elevated blood pressure may be at greater risk of wet macular degeneration. Exercising regularly and controlling weight can be beneficial for blood pressure and for overall health.

    What you can do:

    There are many activities to help keep you fit and healthy at the right pace, such as walking, swimming, tai chi, yoga, dancing or home or group exercises. There are also various team sports for people with low vision such as blind golf, bowls, and cricket. Just getting out of the house for cards, bingo or a local community event will help to keep active.

    • Consider mobility training if you have low vision and need help to navigate around your home, neighbourhood or wider community
    • Contact your local council for information on local activities
    • Check with local seniors groups about what activities they may offer
    • Call Blind Sports Australia for information on sporting organisations and activities for people with low vision

    Weight control

    Maintaining a healthy weight is an important aspect of a healthy lifestyle and can help reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes as well as macular degeneration. Nutrition can play an important role in optimising macular health. 

    Sun protection

    The link between macular degeneration and sunlight exposure is not strong but protecting the eyes from UV light is recommended.

    This also makes going outside more comfortable for people with macular degeneration who are more sensitive to glare. The eyes can be protected by wearing a hat, sunglasses or transition lenses when outdoors.

    It is important to remember that any changes in diet or lifestyle should be undertaken in consultation with your doctor.

     

    Check My Macula

    Are you at risk of macular disease? Check My Macula is a simple online quiz that helps you identify your main risk factors. Five easy questions and in under a minute you'll have your personalised quiz results. Try it at: www.CheckMyMacula.com.au

    Check My Macula is an initiative of Macular Disease Foundation Australia and is for use as an educational tool. It does not replace a comprehensive eye examination by a qualified eye health professional. 

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