Causes of Macular Degeneration: Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Toxicity

Macular degeneration doesn’t appear overnight—it develops slowly through years of inflammation, oxidative stress, and toxic buildup in the body.
Dr. Andy Rosenfarb explains that these underlying imbalances are what starve the macula of oxygen, leading to cellular degeneration and, eventually, vision loss.

“Macular degeneration is not just an eye problem. It’s a systemic problem that shows up in the eyes first. When we fix the inflammation and toxicity, we often see the eyes start to recover.”

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How Inflammation Damages the Macula

Inflammation is the body’s natural healing response—but when it becomes chronic, it turns destructive.
In the macula, inflammation:

• Restricts blood flow and oxygen delivery
• Triggers immune cells to attack healthy tissue
• Increases fluid buildup and swelling
• Creates oxidative stress that kills photoreceptor cells

Reducing inflammation is one of the most important steps in slowing and reversing macular degeneration.

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The Role of Oxidative Stress

The retina is one of the most oxygen-hungry tissues in the body.
When that oxygen isn’t properly metabolized, it creates free radicals—unstable molecules that damage cell membranes and DNA.

Over time, this oxidative stress leads to:

• Breakdown of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells
• Formation of drusen (waste deposits)
• Weakened circulation and nutrient delivery

Antioxidants such as glutathione, lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamin C help neutralize these free radicals and protect against further damage.

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Toxicity: The Hidden Driver

Environmental toxins—including pesticides, heavy metals, and air pollutants—play a major role in accelerating degeneration.
These toxins:

• Interfere with circulation and oxygen transport
• Increase inflammation and oxidative stress
• Overload the liver, preventing detoxification
• Create a toxic environment inside retinal cells

“If the liver and lymphatic system are congested, the retina can’t clear waste efficiently. Cleaning up the body helps clean up the eyes,” Dr. Rosenfarb notes.

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Holistic Treatments That Address the Root Causes

Ophthalmic Acupuncture

Improves blood flow, reduces inflammation, and restores oxygen to the macula.

Functional Medicine

Identifies and corrects systemic causes such as poor liver function, gut dysbiosis, and heavy metal exposure.

Nutritional & Herbal Therapy

Supports detoxification and antioxidant repair with:

• Glutathione & Alpha-Lipoic Acid – restore cellular balance
• Curcumin & Ginkgo Biloba – improve circulation
• Omega-3s (DHA/EPA) – reduce inflammation and nourish retinal cells

ACS-3000 Microstimulation

Gently reactivates dormant cells and improves communication between the retina and brain.

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Lifestyle Factors to Reduce Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

• Eat an anti-inflammatory diet rich in greens, berries, and healthy fats.
• Avoid processed foods, refined sugar, and trans fats.
• Exercise regularly to support circulation.
• Practice stress management and get adequate sleep.
• Stay hydrated to support detoxification and lymph flow.

These lifestyle shifts complement professional therapies and support long-term retinal health.

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Conventional vs. Holistic View

• Conventional ophthalmology focuses on injections and monitoring structural changes.
• Holistic ophthalmology, as practiced by Dr. Rosenfarb, focuses on restoring circulation, oxygenation, and detoxification to create an environment for healing.

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Next Steps

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with macular degeneration:

• Learn about the 12-Week At-Home Vision Recovery Program.
• Explore Telehealth Vision Recovery Sessions with Dr. Rosenfarb.
• Schedule an In-Office Intensive to begin personalized acupuncture and microstimulation treatments.

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