Your "dry eyes" have nothing to do with Macular Degeneration.  The next
step in your fact finding should be a visit to a retina specialist.  You
will learn if you really do have MD or perhaps something that mimics the
signs and if you do have it what type of MD it is. He/she will discuss
the current and soon-to-be available medical treatments.  The good news
is that in the early stages, nutritional supplements may be helpful and
the new medical treatments may be able to halt the progress of the
disease.

Why you?  The primary risk factors appear: genetic-- a close relative
(parent, sibling) with the condition and:  a history of tobacco use. It
is possible that chronic inflammatory disease, high blood pressure, high
cholesterol and obesity may play a role in the development of the
disease.

But don't get the worry machine going yet. Wait for an accurate
diagnosis and then discuss treatment options with your doctor. It's good
to know that today (and only in the last few years and in some cases few
months!) there is treatment for MD.

--LB

Antioxidants are made in eye formulations these days. Most
manufacturers have them. I would go for a higher dose given your age.

Diet - green leafy vegetables, spinach, cabbage, broccoli, parsley. At
leats a cup per week, more if possible.The highest source of
antioxidants and in the most usable form with all necessary cofactors
present.

Syntonics - not mainstream, but may be helpful. Use blue and purple
filters.

Microcurrent devices. Look up www.scyfix.com These devices pass a small
current across the eye and have been shown in some studies to help.

While some of these options are way off mainstream, there is little
conventional medicine can do for ARM. My rake on treatment is to try
ererything that may be beneficial and hopefully something works. One
guy I saw last week has improved 3 lines in acuity and been stable for
the past 12 months. He is just on antioxidants.

Best of luck.

dr grant