Can you see the future?

Could physical exercise help preserve vision in people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), commonly referred to as age spots? A Danish-Swedish research collaboration, led by Zealand University Hospital, is investigating this question. The Department of Ophthalmology at Zealand University Hospital will examine whether exercise can help protect the vision of people with the late dry form of AMD, a condition affecting approximately 20 percent of people over the age of 60.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an incurable disease, and the dry form, in particular, has no effective treatment. A diagnosis of AMD often signals to patients that their vision will progressively decline to the point where they can no longer read or recognize faces. In this pioneering project, participants will engage in exercise classes twice a week for one year. This is the first initiative aiming to address the disease through an approach that not only focuses on the eyes but also considers the overall health and mental well-being of the elderly in the search for a potential cure.

Physical activity and research muscles

The project will also examine the impact of physical activity on participants’ overall health, quality of life, and social engagement. This will be carried out with a strong emphasis on user involvement, including interviews with individuals living with AMD, to better understand what it means for them to live with the condition and how physical activity influences their daily lives.