Certain risk factors may be affected by lifestyle changes. The most obvious one is discontinuing smoking, when applicable. Discontinuing smoking can show benefits almost immediately, with a decrease in the risk of developing wet macular degeneration occurring in the first year and decreasing further over the next 10–20 years.
Other lifestyle changes that may be important include eating a healthy diet that includes green leafy vegetables high in antioxidants (such as spinach, collard greens, and kale) and also includes fish and almonds (both sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been associated with a decreased risk of macular degeneration).
Since obesity may be a risk factor, and since there are associations between high blood pressure and possibly other vascular diseases, maintaining a normal blood pressure, exercising regularly, and attending to one’s weight are reasonable recommendations.