(NAPSA)—Summeris the time for barbecues and pool parties with all of your favorite snacks— but, did you know that some snacks may have a negative impact on your vision along with your waistline? Research has shown that eating right can actually help lower your risk of eye diseases such as macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in people over 50. Approximately 25-30 million people worldwide are affected by macular degeneration—known as age-related macular degeneration or AMD—but a national survey showed that more than two-thirds of Americansare not familiar with this disease. Because macular degeneration robs your central vision, it can affect normal everyday activities like recognizing faces and drivinga car. Arecent study showsthat traditional snack foods that are typically high in fats may increase the risk of macular degeneration. For example, vegetable, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats along aw, with linoleic acid are fats that put junk food enthusiasts at risk for eye disease. Shifting summer snacks to more eye healthy foods, may help save yoursight. Newsnacksto try: Baby carrots Hummusor bean dip Salsa Citrus fruits Remember, early detection of eye diseases by an eye care professionalis still the key to saving sight. For more information about macular degeneration, visit www.amdfacts.com or call 800-AMD-4636.
