5 Things Seniors Should Know About Age-Related Macular Degeneration

12/11/2015
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Age-Related Macular Degeneration:
Be Sure to Get Regular Eye Exams

Vision loss often comes on gradually. So gradually, in fact, people often don’t know they have an issue until the vision loss has progressed to a life-changing extreme. This is a common occurrence for seniors, many of whom may suffer from age-related macular degeneration (AMD or ARMD) and not even know it. For this reason, it’s important for all older adults to have regular eye exams by a medical professional.

Age-related macular degeneration is a medical condition that usually affects older adults and results in a loss of vision in the center of the visual field (the macula) because of damage to the retina. It’s a major cause of blindness and visual impairment in older adults, afflicting 30-50 million people globally. Macular degeneration can make it difficult or impossible to read or to recognize faces, although enough peripheral vision remains to allow other activities of daily life.

5 things to know about AMD
Here are five things you should know about age-related macular degeneration:

  1. AMD often has no early warning signs
    In its early stages, AMD may not have any symptoms. Once it has progressed, the central vision deteriorates, making it difficult to recognize faces or read. There are two types of AMD – dry and wet. Wet AMD causes the majority of AMD-related vision loss.
  2. Early diagnosis is better than a prognosis
    Medical eye exams are critical to diagnosing AMD in its early stages, monitoring its progression and, if it advances to wet AMD, starting treatment before vision deteriorates. An eye exam could save you from going blind!
  3. Don’t wait. Risk increases with age
    AMD often occurs as part of the body’s aging process. At age 65, it affects about 1 person in 100, but after age 80, it affects nearly 12 people in 100. Age also increases risk of other common eye diseases such as glaucoma and cataracts.
  4. Smoking increases risk and progression
    Numerous studies have found that smoking can increase the risk of AMD as well as the speed at which the disease progresses. Quitting smoking can lower your risk of AMD.
  5. AMD treatments are better than ever
    Ten years ago having wet AMD could invariably lead to blindness. Today, new treatments have been developed to treat wet AMD with great success. In fact, one study found that in one country, the incidence of AMD-related blindness had been cut in half just four years after the new treatments were introduced. Plus, those with dry AMD can now use simple low vision techniques and aids to help them better utilize their existing vision.

A medical eye exam can lead to early detection of AMD, and new treatments can lead to a fuller life with clearer vision. If you’re an older adult, be sure to have regular medical eye exams.

 

BLOG Date: Friday, December 11, 2015
Writer: Ryan Allen