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Dr. Sheri Rowen, Director, The Eye & Cosmetic Surgery Center at Mercy.

Mercy Ophthalmologic Surgeon Dr. Sheri Rowen Discusses New Study Regards Diet And Macular Degeneration

Women are more at risk for age-related macular degeneration, but according to a recent study, certain foods and nutrients could keep the disease from progressing.

Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is the leading cause of vision loss for Americans age 60 and older.

Evelyn Stand, 86, went to Mercy Medical Center when her vision started to get a little bit blurry.

Ophthalmologic surgeon Dr. Sheri Rowen, Director of The Eye & Cosmetic Surgery Center at Mercy, took pictures of the inside of Stand's eye to see what was going on with the central part of the retina, known as the macula. It turned out she had macular degeneration.

"Here is the macula," Dr. Rowen pointed out. "It's not supposed to have a loss of pigment."

The loss of pigment cells, or photo receptors, were what was causing Stand's problem when she looked straight ahead, doctors said.

"It is clear with the right eye. I see the clock, but with my left eye, it feels like a veil has dropped," Stand told the doctor.

For the dry form of macular degeneration that Stand has, there's no real treatment, except a study has shown that antioxidants can help prevent further damage, including vitamins C and E, zinc, zeazanthin, lutein, taurine and green veggies.

"Use salad, spinach, broccoli and stuff like that," Dr. Rowen said.

While Stand said she does have some vision problems, she does pretty well for herself.

Doctors said always speak to your physician before taking any supplements.

Visit the WBAL website at http://www.wbaltv.com/womansdoctor/18229617/detail.html to see Dr. Rowen discuss macular degeneration and diet in greater detail on "The Woman's Doctor."