What Foods Should Be Avoided with Macular Degeneration?

Macular degeneration (MD) is a leading cause of vision loss in adults, and one of its contributing factors is diet.

What Foods Should Be Avoided with Macular Degeneration? Macular degeneration (MD) is a leading cause of vision loss in adults. It is a condition that affects the center of your field of vision, making it difficult to see fine details. There are many things that can contribute to macular degeneration, including age, genetics, and lifestyle choices. One of these contributing factors is diet. As such, one of the most important things you can do to protect your vision is to recognize and limit foods that are known to cause damage to the retina. In this blog post, we will discuss the foods that you should avoid if you have macular degeneration. Saturated Fats One of the main culprits behind macular degeneration is a high intake of saturated fats. Saturated fats are found in animal products, such as meat and dairy. They can also be found in processed foods, such as cookies and cakes. Saturated fats are already known to be bad for your health because they contribute to high cholesterol levels and heart disease. However, they've also been linked to eye problems such as macular degeneration. So if you're diagnosed with MD, it is best to avoid these types of foods. Trans Fats Another food group that you should avoid is trans fats. These fats are created when manufacturers add hydrogen to vegetable oils in order to solidify them. This process is called “hydrogenation.” Trans fats can also be found in nature, but they are not as common. Trans fats are often found in fried foods, such as french fries and chicken fingers. They are also commonly found in processed foods, such as margarine and shortening. Like saturated fats, trans fats not only contribute to high cholesterol levels and heart disease but also increase the risk of macular degeneration. So trans fats should be added to the list of foods that must be moderated if you're dealing with macular degeneration. High-Glycemic Foods Another type of food that you should be wary of is high-glycemic food. Glycemic refers to the rate at which a food raises your blood sugar levels. High-glycemic foods are those that cause a rapid spike in your blood sugar levels. Examples of high-glycemic foods include white bread, white rice, and pastries. These types of foods are often made with refined carbs, which the body breaks down quickly and easily into glucose. While eating the occasional high-glycemic food isn't going to cause macular degeneration, a diet that is high in these types of foods can increase your risk. So it's best to limit your intake of high-glycemic foods if you have macular degeneration. Sugar Finally, you should also limit your intake of sugar if you have macular degeneration. Sugar can damage the retina, and it is best to avoid sugary foods if you have this condition. Foods that are high in sugar include obvious candidates like candy, cookies, cake, and soda, but also foods like prepared sauces and condiments. If you have macular degeneration, it is best to limit your intake of these types of foods. Prioritize Your Eye Health with a Healthy Diet By following these dietary guidelines, you can help to protect your vision and prevent the progression of macular degeneration. If you have any questions about diet and macular degeneration, please consult with healthcare professionals such as the eye specialists at Malkani Retina Center. Malkani Retina Center is ready to serve patients in Florida with locations in Fort Myers, Naples, and Port Charlotte. For information on our services or to answer questions about your vision health, don't wait — contact our team of professionals today.

Macular degeneration (MD) is a leading cause of vision loss in adults. It is a condition that affects the center of your field of vision, making it difficult to see fine details. There are many things that can contribute to macular degeneration, including age, genetics, and lifestyle choices. One of these contributing factors is diet.


As such, one of the most important things you can do to protect your vision is to recognize and limit foods that are known to cause damage to the retina. In this blog post, we will discuss the foods that you should avoid if you have macular degeneration.

Saturated Fats

One of the main culprits behind macular degeneration is a high intake of saturated fats. Saturated fats are found in animal products, such as meat and dairy. They can also be found in processed foods, such as cookies and cakes.


Saturated fats are already known to be bad for your health because they contribute to high cholesterol levels and heart disease. However, they've also been linked to eye problems such as macular degeneration. So if you're diagnosed with MD, it is best to avoid these types of foods.

Trans Fats

Another food group that you should avoid is trans fats. These fats are created when manufacturers add hydrogen to vegetable oils in order to solidify them. This process is called “hydrogenation.” Trans fats can also be found in nature, but they are not as common.


Trans fats are often found in fried foods, such as french fries and chicken fingers. They are also commonly found in processed foods, such as margarine and shortening.


Like saturated fats, trans fats not only contribute to high cholesterol levels and heart disease but also increase the risk of macular degeneration. So trans fats should be added to the list of foods that must be moderated if you're dealing with macular degeneration.

High-Glycemic Foods

Another type of food that you should be wary of is high-glycemic food. Glycemic refers to the rate at which a food raises your blood sugar levels. High-glycemic foods are those that cause a rapid spike in your blood sugar levels.


Examples of high-glycemic foods include white bread, white rice, and pastries. These types of foods are often made with refined carbs, which the body breaks down quickly and easily into glucose.


While eating the occasional high-glycemic food isn't going to cause macular degeneration, a diet that is high in these types of foods can increase your risk. So it's best to limit your intake of high-glycemic foods if you have macular degeneration.

Sugar

Finally, you should also limit your intake of sugar if you have macular degeneration. Sugar can damage the retina, and it is best to avoid sugary foods if you have this condition. Foods that are high in sugar include obvious candidates like candy, cookies, cake, and soda, but also foods like prepared sauces and condiments. If you have macular degeneration, it is best to limit your intake of these types of foods.

Prioritize Your Eye Health with a Healthy Diet

By following these dietary guidelines, you can help to protect your vision and prevent the progression of macular degeneration. If you have any questions about diet and macular degeneration, please consult with healthcare professionals such as the eye specialists at Malkani Retina Center.


Malkani Retina Center is ready to serve patients in Florida with locations in Fort Myers, Naples, and Port Charlotte. For information on our services or to answer questions about your vision health, don't wait — contact our team of professionals today.