The leading cause of blindness in people over 60 is Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). This disease affects more than 13 million people in the world and over the next quarter of a century, those numbers are expected to triple.
Rather than destroying the peripheral vision like glaucoma does, AMD affects the retina, gradually eliminating a person’s sharp, central vision. Unfortunately most people are unaware of AMD and the steps they can take to reduce the risk of this devastating disease.
Stages of AMD
Age-Related Macular Degeneration is classified into two stages:
• Dry AMD • Wet AMD
Dry AMD is less severe and occurs when light-sensitive cells in the eye start to break down, usually resulting in a loss of color definition and detail. The most common symptom of dry AMD is slightly blurred vision that can lead to difficulty in recognizing faces or reading.
Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels behind the retina grow behind the macula. These vessels often leak fluid that distorts the normal location of the macula, causing rapid damage and a quick loss of central vision.
Risk Factors of Developing AMD
As we get older, the risks of developing AMD increase. However there are other factors that can contribute to AMD:
• Females have a higher risk of AMD. • Smoking may increase the risk of AMD. • Caucasians are more likely to lose vision from AMD. • Obesity, inactivity, and high blood pressure also may lead to AMD.
How is AMD Detected?
Your ophthalmologist may suspect AMD if you have started to experience recent changes in your vision and are over the age of 60. AMD is detected through a series of tests to measure your vision.
• Your ophthalmologist may measure how well you see at various distances. • Your eyes may be dilated with eye drops so that your ophthalmologist can examine your retina and optic nerve for signs of AMD and other eye problems. • The pressure of your eyes may also be measured.
Treatment for AMD
Treatment options are limited for Age-Related Macular Degeneration, however there are measures that can be taken to help slow the progression of AMD and vision loss. Avoiding smoking, eating a healthy diet, taking diet supplements high in antioxidants and zinc, and exercising regularly are all ways to protect your sight. If your AMD is more severe, it might be able to be treated with surgery, therapy, and/or injections.
It is vital to have regular eye exams to check for AMD and other eye diseases.
If you live in the greater Charlotte, North Carolina community and are interested in learning more about Age-Related Macular Degeneration or would like to schedule an eye exam, please visit the website of Horizon Eye Care.
