macular degeneration faq 3 Can diet alone provide the same high levels of antioxidants and zinc as the AREDS formulation? No. The high levels of vitamins and minerals are difficult to achieve from diet alone. However, previous studies have suggested that people who have diets rich in green leafy vegetables have a lower risk of developing AMD. Can a daily multivitamin alone provide the same high levels of antioxidants and zinc as the AREDS formulation? No. The formulation's levels of antioxidants and zinc are considerably higher than the amounts in any daily multivitamin. If you are already taking daily multivitamins and your doctor suggests you take the high-dose AREDS formulation, be sure to review all your vitamin supplements with your doctor before you begin. Because multivitamins contain many important vitamins not found in the AREDS formulation, you may want to take a multivitamin along with the AREDS formulation. For example, people with osteoporosis need to be particularly concerned about taking vitamin D, which is not in the AREDS formulation.  Again, only your doctor can give you specific advice. How is wet AMD treated? There are two treatments for wet AMD: laser eye surgery and photodynamic therapy. Neither treatment is a cure for wet Age-related Macular Degeneration. Each treatment may slow the rate of vision decline or stop further vision loss. The disease and loss of vision may progress despite treatment. Laser eye surgery. This procedure uses a laser to destroy the fragile, leaky blood vessels. A high-energy beam of light is aimed directly onto the new blood vessels and destroys them, preventing further loss of vision. However, laser eye treatment also may destroy some surrounding healthy tissue and some vision. Only a small percentage of people with wet AMD can be treated with laser eye surgery. Laser eye surgery is more effective if the leaky blood vessels have developed away from the fovea, the central part of the macula. Laser eye surgery or Lasik surgery is performed in a doctor's office or Lasik eye clinic. The risk of new blood vessels developing after laser treatment is high. Repeated treatments may be necessary. In some cases, vision loss may progress despite repeated treatments.  Consult your doctor for specific details concerning your case. Photodynamic therapy. A drug called verteporfin is injected into your arm. It travels throughout the body, including the new blood vessels in your eye. The drug tends to "stick" to the surface of new blood vessels. Next, a light is shined into your eye for about 90 seconds. The light activates the drug. The activated drug destroys the new blood vessels and leads to a slower rate of vision decline. Unlike laser eye surgery, this drug does not destroy surrounding healthy tissue. Because the drug is activated by light, you must avoid exposing your skin or eyes to direct sunlight or bright indoor light for five days after treatment. Photodynamic therapy is relatively painless. It takes about 20 minutes and can be performed in a doctor's office. Photodynamic therapy slows the rate of vision loss. It does not stop vision loss or restore vision in eyes already damaged by advanced Age-related Macular Degeneration. Treatment results often are temporary. You may need to be treated again. What can I do if I already have lost some vision from AMD? If you have lost some sight from AMD, don't be afraid to use your eyes for reading, watching TV, and other routine activities.  Normal use of your eyes will not cause further damage to your vision. If you have lost some sight from Age-related Macular Degeneration, ask your eye doctor about low vision services and devices that may help you make the most of your remaining vision. Ask for a referral to a specialist in low vision. Many community organizations and agencies offer information about low vision counseling, training, and other special services for people with visual eye impairments. A nearby school of medicine or optometry may provide low vision services. What can I do to protect my vision? Dry AMD. If you have dry AMD, you should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year. Your eye doctor can monitor your condition and check for other eye diseases. Also, if you have intermediate Age-related Macular Degeneration in one or both eyes, or advanced AMD in one eye only, your doctor may suggest that you take the AREDS formulation containing the high levels of antioxidants and zinc. Because dry AMD can turn into wet AMD at any time, you should get an Amsler grid from your eye doctor. Use the grid every day to evaluate your vision for signs of wet Age-related Macular Degeneration. This quick test works best for people who still have good central vision. Check each eye separately. Cover one eye and look at the grid. Then cover your other eye and look at the grid. If you detect any changes in the appearance of this grid or in your everyday vision while reading the newspaper or watching television, get a comprehensive dilated eye exam. Wet AMD. If you have wet Age-related Macular Degeneration and your doctor advises treatment, do not wait. After laser eye surgery or photodynamic therapy, you will need frequent eye exams to detect any recurrence of leaking blood vessels. Studies show that people who smoke have a greater risk of recurrence than those who don't. In addition, check your eye vision at home with the Amsler grid. If you detect any changes, schedule an eye exam immediately. Can my lifestyle make a difference? Yes.  Your lifestyle can play a role in reducing your risk of developing Age-related Macular Degeneration. Eat a healthy diet high in green leafy vegetables and fish. Don't smoke. Maintain normal blood pressure. Watch your weight. And be sure to exercise.