Macular degeneration, also known as age related macular degeneration (AMD) or age-related maculopathy, is the leading cause of blindness in older adults. AMD affects more than 3 million Americans and causes loss of vision in about half of those affected. The condition is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. In the United States, AMD affects about 1.5 million people over the age of 65.
There are two types of AMD, dry and wet. Dry AMD is the most common type of AMD. It occurs when the cells that make up the macula, the central part of the retina, begin to die. As these cells die, they leave behind a large area of empty space called drusen. Drusen are yellowish deposits under the retina. They are not cancerous but they do cause vision problems. In wet AMD, new blood vessels grow beneath the retina. These new blood vessels leak fluid and can eventually damage the retina.
AMD symptoms vary from person to person. Most people with AMD have no symptoms at all. In fact, many people who have AMD never know it until they have a medical exam for another reason. Some people have very mild symptoms and others have severe symptoms. In severe cases, the patient may experience blurred vision, blind spots, distorted vision, and sometimes even double vision.
The good news is that there are many ways to prevent AMD. One way to prevent AMD is to take a multivitamin every day. A multivitamin helps keep the body’s vitamin levels up so that it can fight off disease. Other ways to prevent AMD include eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight.
If you think you might have AMD, your doctor will give you a series of tests to determine if you have AMD. Your doctor will look for signs of AMD in the back of your eye using an ophthalmoscope. You will be asked to look into a bright light so that your doctor can see any changes in the macula. If you have AMD, your doctor may recommend laser surgery to try to remove some of the drusen that are causing the vision problems.
You can help yourself stay healthy by making sure that you eat a healthy diet. Eating a healthy diet includes eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants that help protect against diseases such as AMD. Make sure that you eat fish three times a week and limit your consumption of red meat.
It is also important to get regular exercise. Exercise helps improve blood flow and oxygen levels in the body. This can help prevent AMD. You should also avoid sitting in front of a computer screen for long periods of time. Computer screens emit blue light which has been linked to AMD.
Many people believe that cataracts are caused by aging. However, cataracts can also be caused by other things including diabetes, radiation therapy, and trauma. Cataracts are cloudy areas in the lens of the eye. These cloudy areas can block light and cause vision problems. There are several different types of cataracts. In order of severity, they are nuclear, cortical, posterior subcapsular, and senile.
Cataracts are often first noticed by patients during routine eye exams. If you notice that your eyesight is beginning to change, you should schedule an appointment with your eye doctor. Your doctor will perform a complete examination of your eyes and may recommend that you wear glasses or contact lenses to correct your vision.
Cataracts can also be treated with surgery. There are several different types cataract surgery. Your doctor may recommend that you have cataract surgery if you are experiencing vision problems. Cataract surgery involves removing the cloudy lens from your eye and replacing it with an artificial lens. The lens is replaced in a special bag and then removed from the eye. After the surgery, your doctor will prescribe eye drops to help reduce swelling and discomfort.
Some people are born with cataracts. If you are one of these people, you may not need cataract surgery. However, if you are experiencing vision problems due to cataracts, you should schedule an appointment to discuss treatment options.
