UPDATE Macular Degeneration

Fall 2025

 

IN THIS ISSUE

 

Can Lifestyle Choices Help Save Your Memory—And Your Vision?

Chairman’s Corner

Nothing Something to Sneeze At

Three Things You Need to Know About Dry Eye Disease

Geographic Atrophy: Then and Now

Study Update

Importance of Clinical Trials

Preserve & Protect Your Vision–Donate Today

 

 

Can Lifestyle Choices Help Save Your Memory—AND YOUR VISION?

By Julie Poteet, OD, MS, CNS, FOWNS

 

 

As a doctor of optometry and certified nutrition specialist, I spend a lot of time talking with patients about how food, movement, stress, and community affect not just our eyes—but our entire body. Every day, patients ask me:

“Is there anything I can do to protect my sight and my mind as I age?”

Thanks to a groundbreaking new study, the answer is a strong and hopeful “Yes.”

In June 2024, Dr. Dean Ornish and his team published a study that made headlines around the world. In just 20 weeks, people with early Alzheimer’s or mild memory loss were able to improve—or stop the decline of—their memory without taking any new medications. What did they do? They changed their lifestyle.

This was the first time a study showed that lifestyle changes alone—not drugs—could help reverse signs of early Alzheimer’s disease.

But what does this have to do with macular degeneration?

 

Everything.

 

The Eyes Are the Window to the Brain

Your retina—the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye—is actually part of your brain. When we look into the eye with special lenses or imaging devices, we’re looking directly at your brain’s blood vessels and nerve tissue. That’s why researchers call the retina a “window to the brain.”

Many of the same things that harm your brain—like poor circulation, high blood sugar, inflammation, and oxidative stress—also damage the retina. So if a lifestyle can help the brain heal, it may also protect your vision from conditions like macular degeneration.

What the Ornish Study Found

The Ornish team worked with 51 people diagnosed with either early-stage Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). These are conditions that often show up as forgetfulness, trouble focusing, or difficulty doing everyday tasks.

Half of the group was asked to continue their usual routine. The other half followed a comprehensive lifestyle program that included:

A whole-food, plant-based diet, low in sugar, processed foods, and animal fats

• Daily movement, like walking, stretching, or light strength exercises
• Stress management, including breathing exercises and meditation
• Support groups that included spouses or caregivers

After 20 weeks, the people who made these changes:

• Improved or stabilized their memory and thinking
• Showed better results on memory tests than the control group
• Had healthier blood levels of important brain markers
• Reported more energy, better sleep, and stronger relationships

Even more inspiring: the more they followed the lifestyle plan, the better their results.

What This Means for People With AMD

Macular degeneration doesn’t just affect your eyesight—it affects your quality of life. It can interfere with reading, driving, and recognizing the faces of loved ones. But like Alzheimer’s, AMD is also connected to inflammation, oxidative stress, and poor circulation.

That means the very same habits that help preserve brain health may also slow the progression of macular degeneration.

In fact, other studies have already shown this:

• The AREDS trials found that nutrition—especially antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin—can slow the course of AMD.
• A Mediterranean-style diet, rich in leafy greens, whole grains, fish, and olive oil, has been linked to less retinal damage and better visual function.
• Regular exercise and lower levels of chronic stress are associated with healthier blood flow to the retina and brain.

The Ornish study connects all of these pieces into one powerful message:

A healthy lifestyle doesn’t just help you feel better—it may also protect your sight and your memory.

How You Can Start at Home

You don’t need to follow the entire Ornish protocol perfectly to see benefits. Even small changes can make a real difference. Here are four things you can start doing today:

1. Eat for Your Eyes and Brain

Focus on foods that reduce inflammation and support circulation:

• Leafy greens like kale, spinach, and arugula
• Bright fruits and vegetables (carrots, berries, peppers)
• Omega-3-rich fish like salmon or sardines
• Whole grains and legumes (brown rice, lentils, chickpeas)
• Healthy fats like walnuts, flaxseeds, and olive oil

Try swapping processed snacks for fresh fruit, or choose plant-based meals a few days a week. Drinking plenty of water also helps maintain healthy eye tissues.

2. Move Every Day

You don’t need a gym membership. A 20–30 minute walk, some gentle yoga, or dancing in the kitchen all count. Movement improves blood flow to the retina and brain, reduces blood pressure, and helps regulate blood sugar—all important for AMD prevention.

3. Calm the Mind

Chronic stress can increase inflammation in the body and eyes. Practice slow breathing, listen to calming music, try a guided meditation app like Calm or Insight Timer, or simply spend time in nature.

Even five minutes a day of quiet breathing can lower your stress hormones and help protect your health.

4. Stay Connected

Loneliness and social isolation are risk factors for both vision and brain decline. Whether it’s a phone call, church group, walking buddy, or online support forum, regular connection keeps your brain—and heart—healthier.

A Message of Hope

One of the most powerful takeaways from the Ornish study is this:

You are not powerless.

Even after a diagnosis, your choices matter. Your body and brain are designed to heal—given the right environment. And the habits that help your brain can help your eyes, too.

As someone who works at the crossroads of eye care and nutrition, I believe that vision loss is not just a fate to be accepted—it’s a call to action. And that action starts on your plate, in your breath, and in your daily routines.

Whether you’re living with macular degeneration, concerned about memory loss, or simply want to age with more vitality, know this: the tools are in your hands—and the research is finally catching up.

To your vision and your health,

Julie Poteet, OD, MS, CNS, FOWNS

 

Chairman’s Corner:

Dear Friends,

As you’ve likely seen in the news, there have been discussions about reducing the authority of the CDC and cutting federal funding for medical research. In uncertain times like these, it’s more important than ever to support innovative research that drives real progress in the fight against vision loss.

At the Macular Degeneration Association (MDA), our commitment to advancing research and supporting the macular degeneration community remains unwavering. Last year, we proudly awarded a research grant to Retina Consultants of Texas and Jeremiah Brown, MS, MD. In this issue, we’re excited to share updates on the promising progress of their work.

Looking ahead, we are committed to funding additional research initiatives by the end of 2025. Innovation in treatment options is moving forward, and new approaches continue to emerge. We believe deeply in being part of that momentum — not watching from the sidelines.

Through both in-person and virtual conferences, the MDA remains dedicated to offering accessible, expert-led education across the country. In 2026, we look forward to visiting new cities and returning to familiar ones — bringing fresh topics, up-to-date information, and supportive resources to each community we serve.

At our educational conferences, participants have the opportunity to engage directly with leading specialists. These events are designed not only to inform but to empower — giving attendees the tools to make informed decisions about their treatment options thus providing a better quality of life and visual outcomes.

Our quarterly newsletter, always free to subscribers, continues to deliver trusted information on macular degeneration. Inside, you’ll find updates on the latest research breakthroughs, treatment options, risk factors and genetic insights.

Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been living with macular degeneration for years, we want you to know: you’re not alone. We are here to walk with you every step of the way — through knowledge, support and hope.

Thank you for your continued support of the Macular Degeneration Association.

Sincerely,

Lawrence S. Hoffheimer

Macular Degeneration Association

Chairman

 

Nothing Something to Sneeze At

Leo Semes, OD, FAAO

Professor Emeritus of Optometry and Vision Science, UAB

MDA Medical Board Member

 

Early in my academic career a colleague asked whether I had ever encountered a patient who sneezed during ophthalmoscopy. This is a technique of shining a light into the eye to view the inside. I said that I had not and began to observe for the phenomenon. One of the maxims in medicine is, “If you don’t think of the diagnosis, you will never make it.”(1) Once I began looking for this response, I discovered that it was more than an oddity. Have you or anyone you know sneezed or can initiate that response when looking at a bright light or the sun?

The first case report of “photic sneezing” appeared over 150 years ago. But, the first case series did not appear until 1954 and included only six subjects. Later reports surveyed larger numbers. In a series of over 400 randomly selected subjects, prevalence was reported at just over 25%. A study from Sweden found a similar prevalence among a survey of nearly 500 individuals. This response has been characterized as more prevalent among the population than previously thought.(2)

The inheritance pattern is thought to be autosomal dominant (AD), meaning that if either of your parents exhibited this response, it is likely that you will and pass the trait on to your offspring. Photic sneezing has gone by various names. These include “photo-sternutatory reflex,” “solar sneeze reflex” and ACHOO, an acronym for autosomal dominant compelling helio-ophthalmic outburst syndrome. What all these descriptions have in common is that uncontrollable sneezing can occur in response to a light stimulus and that it is most likely transmitted from either parent who exhibits the phenomenon.(2)

Recognizing inconsistent characterization of photic sneezing, two of my colleagues and I at the University of Alabama Birmingham School of Optometry designed a questionnaire to characterize parameters of the photic sneeze response (PSR).(1) Our results from 367 respondents were that one-third were self-recognized photic sneezers. Among these 122, the average age at recognition was 44 years (range: 13-77 years; majority less than 30 years). Inheritance pattern was not consistent but strongly suggestive of AD. The phenomenon was more prevalent among white than black patients by about a 4:1 ratio. Iris color was not a factor in determining PSR, but green irises predominated over blue and brown. Allergy history and asthma did not predispose to nor protect against the PSR but deviated nasal septum did contribute to experiencing the PSR.

The proposed mechanism to induce a PSR is “overflow” of optic nerve impulses from light exposure that causes a reaction like allergic rhinitis. Irritation from tobacco use, however, was not a factor among our study population. Frequency of the PSR was distributed over a range from 12% experiencing a sneeze every time to only rarely among 15%. About half of our patients described the response occurring “only once in a while.” The number of successive sneezes was three or fewer in 90% of cases. The interval between successive PSRs was short, less that 10 seconds in 85% of cases. Not all the photic sneezers reported knowledge of a parent or relative experiencing the PSR, suggesting that environmental factors may play a role, as well.

 

The PSR may be an annoyance to some but may represent a hazard in such occupations as pilots, drivers, surgeons, photographers and others, especially those involved in outdoor occupations. Since avoidance is the only known solution, patients affected by the PSR should recognize the potential distraction that can occur in response to exposure to bright lights.

Resources

1. https://emedsa.org.au/Students/Maxims.htm. Ac­cessed August 26, 2025
2. Semes LP, Amos JF, Waterbor JW. The photic sneeze response: a descriptive report of a clinic popula­tion. J Am Optom Assoc. 1995 Jun;66(6):372-7. PMID: 7673597.
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7673597/

 

Three Things You Need to Know About Dry Eye Disease

By Mile Brujic, OD, FAAO Macular Degeneration Association Board Member

 

Dry eye disease is one of the most common eye conditions seen in our practice, yet many people don’t fully understand what it is or why it happens. Dry eye occurs when your eyes either don’t produce enough tears or the quality of your tears isn’t sufficient to keep your eyes comfortably lubricated. This can lead to symptoms such as burning, redness, irritation, blurred vision, or even excessive watering as the eyes try to compensate. Understanding a few key facts about dry eye disease can make a big difference in protecting you from the effects of dry eye.

1. It’s About Tear Quality and Quantity

Many people think dry eye means that their eyes are not producing enough tears, but the ocular surface is more complex than this. Tears have three important layers: 1) an oily layer that keeps them from evaporating too quickly, 2) a watery layer that provides moisture and 3) a mucous layer that helps them spread evenly across your eye. If any of these layers are out of balance, your eyes can feel dry even if they’re producing a normal amount of tears. Problems with the oil-producing glands along your eyelids, for example, are a leading cause underlying dry eye.

2. Your Lifestyle and Environment Matter

Dry eye is often made worse by everyday habits and surroundings. Prolonged screen time can dramatically reduce your blink rate, causing your tears to evaporate faster. Dry or windy climates, heating, air conditioning, smoke, and certain medications can all contribute to symptoms. Simple changes, like taking regular breaks from screens, using a humidifier, or wearing protective eyewear outdoors, can help reduce discomfort.

3. Treatment is About Ongoing Manage­ment

Unfortunately, there’s no cure for dry eye disease. Dry eye is a condition that typically requires ongoing care. The good news is there are many ways to manage it. Artificial tears and prescription eye drops to in-office procedures that improve tear quality or help you retain more natural tears are all options. The underlying causes of dry eye can vary from person to person so it is important to see an eye care professional to help manage your specific form of dry eye. They will identify the specific factors contributing to your symptoms and create a personalized treatment plan.

With the right approach, most people can find significant relief and keep their eyes healthy for years to come.

 

Geographic Atrophy: Then and Now

Jeremiah Brown, Jr., MS, MD, FASRS

Retina Consultants of Texas

 

The ophthalmology community has been aware of the devastating consequences of geographic atrophy for many years. However, discussion surrounding this disease was limited, due to the lack of treatment. We would monitor our patients, watch for signs of wet (neovascular) AMD which can be treated, and follow up in a year. Meanwhile, we watched our patients gradually lose vision as the areas of retinal thinning continued to expand, taking vision along the way.

In 2023, the entire field changed when the first medication was proven to slow the rate of progression of the retinal thinning. After seeing many failed clinical trials in this area of research, this was truly exciting news. Now we could offer treatments to our patients and have a well-rounded discussion about the disease and the prognosis.

We have learned a great deal. We know that without treatment, 50% of patients lose 2 lines of vision in 2 years after their diagnosis of geographic atrophy. We also know that the majority of patient lose the ability to drive in approximately 1.6 years after diagnosis. We realize that this is not really a slow disease. This is a disease that can have great impact on one’s life and mobility in just a few years. This is why early detection and early treatment are so critical.

Think of dry AMD as the underlying condition that all patients with AMD start with. Abnormal proteins begin to deposit beneath the retina throughout our lifetime. In some patients who have changes in genes that regulate inflammation in the body, these proteins stimulate low grade, constant inflammation which leads to the death of retinal cells. As retinal cells die, patients begin to develop difficulty with night vision, contrast and color perception difficulty, and blind spots and distortion in their vision. Some patients also develop abnormal blood vessels that grow into retina, and experience further vision loss due to leakage and hemorrhage from these abnormal blood vessels. When this occurs, we call this wet or neovascular AMD. So as you see, some patients can have both thinning of the retina and leakage from blood vessels beneath the retina. Fortunately, we can treat both the wet AMD, and the dry AMD with geographic atrophy, with our available medications.

It is my message to all patients with macular degeneration to visit your eye doctor at least once per year and more frequently if you have signs of early thinning of the retina. If you do develop geographic atrophy, discuss this with your retina specialist and your family. Early treatment may be able to preserve retina and prolong the period of useful vision. Consider enrolling in a clinical trial which may give you access to an even more effective medication before it becomes commercially available.

 

Investigating Visual Improvement in Geographic Atrophy Patients Treated with Pegcetacoplan (Syfovre) and Avacincaptad Pegol (Izervay)

STUDY UPDATE: Research grant provided by the Macular Degeneration Association (MDA)

 

Our study investigating vision improvement after starting treatment for geographic atrophy is proceeding very nicely. We have established a collaboration with 8 large retina clinics to study this critical issue. We now have a database of 45,300 patient visits of patients treated with Syfovre and Izervay over the past 2 years. This database includes visual acuity at baseline and each follow-up visit, medication administered, time between injections, total number of injections and much more. We are now beginning to analyze this data to look for trends that may predict which patients benefit the most from these medications.

We believe that an important clue in determining the response to treatment is understanding the differences in the OCT (optical coherence tomography) characteristics between patients. We are in the process of analyzing OCT images of treated patients using artificial intelligence to identify characteristics which may predict treatment outcomes. This is a time-consuming part of the project but we expect that this will yield valuable insights.

Watch for more updates and our research progresses.

Dr. Jeremiah Brown

Importance of Clinical Trials

 

We all see commercials on TV and other places for different drugs. Have you ever wondered how these medications came to be? It takes years and billions of dollars to get a drug from an idea to an approved medication. One of the last steps is a clinical trial with participants volunteering to be in to prove that the new medication works well enough to deserve to be FDA approved.

Generally, these are what are called Phase III trials. This means that the medication has already been shown to be safe and work (at least to some degree) in a smaller/earlier trial. Phase III trials are done on/for people like you! One of the hardest things for a trial is to get enough people to be in it. Some clinical trials will even pay participants to be in them. No legitimate trial will ask you to pay to be in it.

It is not always as easy as saying “I want to be in this trial”. There are very strict criteria for who can be in and who cannot be in a trial. This is to control the population and make sure that any effects are due to the new medication and not anything else. If you are “screened out” of a trial, don’t worry, there will be more to come. Macular degeneration is a very “hot” area of research with many no possibilities coming!

So, how can you find out about or get into a clinical trial? Your doctors can be a resource. Many practices are either part of or know of others that are enrolling patients. Generally, macular degeneration trials are done at the office of a retina specialist. Another way is to check online. You can go to clinicaltrials.gov to look for trials in your area using key words (like macular degeneration). You can help further the science of tomorrow!

By: Jeffry D. Gerson, O.D., F.A.A.O.

Macular Degeneration Association Medical Director

HOW TO GIVE

 

Phone, Mail or Online

Phone: Please call (941)893-4387 today to speak to one of our Donor Services Representatives.

Mail: Send your check or money order today payable to:

MACULAR DEGENERATION ASSOCIATION

5969 Cattleridge Boulevard, Suite 100 | Sarasota, FL 34232

Online: Please visit www.macularhope.org today and click on the Donation tab.

Stocks, Securities, Mutual Funds and IRAs

Please give serious consideration to the donation of stock and mutual fund shares as this offers numerous opportunities

to make a most gracious gift and receive tax advantages.

Wills, Bequests and Planned Gifts

Please give serious consideration to the designation of MDA in your Will, Charitable Trusts, Life Insurance, Appreciated

Securities and Real Estate as this offers preplanned giving opportunities that will serve the macular community for

years to come. Please call Lynne Henry (941)893-4389 at the Macular Degeneration Association, today, for personal

assistance in initiating this effort.

The following language has been reviewed and is deemed a legally acceptable form for including such a bequest in a will:

“I give and bequeath to the Macular Degeneration Association, 5969 Cattleridge Blvd. Suite # 100 Sarasota, FL 34232

for discretionary use in carrying out its aims and purposes, (the sum of $_____) or ( a sum equal to _______% of

the value of my gross estate at the time of my death under this will or any codicil hereto).”

The Macular Degeneration Association Federal ID number is 27-3025707

 

MEMORIAL AND HONOR GIVING

 

Honor a family member, friend or special event by donating to MDA. Pay tribute to someone you love whose life

has been impacted by macular degeneration. In lieu of flowers, please consider designating Macular Degeneration

Association as your charity of choice.

 

WORKPLACE GIVING

 

Launch a Giving Campaign

Please consider leading a team at work by encouraging your colleagues and staff to join together to help those

living with macular degeneration. Launch a workplace giving campaign today.

Ask about Matching Gifts

Many gracious employers double or even triple charitable donations made by individual employees. Some companies

will match gifts made by retirees and or their spouses. Contact your employer for matching gift eligibility

as this allows you to maximize your personal donation.

 

Thank you!