How to Avoid the Leading Cause of Blindness

It’s one of the saddest phenomenons I’ve faced in my 35 years of practice: Conditions that were once expected to strike in “old age” are now affecting younger and younger people.

Macular degeneration is a prime example.

This eye condition is the leading cause of blindness in the U.S., and it is typically associated with aging.

But in more recent years, it has started to show up in people as young as 15-25.

Since macular degeneration is considered incurable, most doctors will put you on drugs and tell you to hope for the best.

If you ask me, these doctors are suffering from their own form of blindness.

Because the cause of this increase is right in front of their faces. Better still—the answer is staring them in the face as well.

The biggest factor contributing to macular degeneration is blue light.

That’s the kind of light emitted by the screens so many people are glued to today… phones, computers, tablets, TVs.

It’s true that the sun emits blue light, and it is essential for things like alertness, memory, and mood.

But with this wavelength pouring out of every device with a screen 24/7, we’re on blue light overload. And studies have shown that overexposure can damage light-sensitive cells in the retina.

Permanently.

The problem is a major one, but the answer here is simple: Avoid fake blue light as much as possible.

I recommend downloading blue-light blocking apps or purchasing films to put over the screens themselves that will cut out the blue light after the sun goes down.

Or you could do what I do, and wear blue-light blocking glasses at night.

In addition, whether you’re 15, 55, or 90, you should consider increasing specific eye-protective nutrients.

Here are my top 4.

Vitamin C helps protect vision by helping the body absorb more of the nutrients it needs and by protecting against free radical damage.

Lutein is one of the few carotenoids that get absorbed into the eye itself. Studies show that taking just 6 milligrams a day reduces the risk of macular degeneration by 43%.

Zeaxanthin is a close cousin of lutein, and it is especially good at protecting the eye from UV rays, inflammation, and importantly, blue light.

Vitamin E. Studies show that people who consume the most vitamin E and lutein have the lowest risk of macular degeneration. And taking the combination of vitamins E, C, and A reduces the risk of developing macular degeneration by 25%

To a brighter day,

Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D.