What is Age-related Macular DegenerationAnd How Can I Prevent It?
At Visionworks, our team recognizes that the first step to eye disease prevention is awareness. According to the BrightFocus Foundation, as many as 11 million people in the United States have some form of age-related macular degeneration. Because we are committed to improving eye health, we want to empower you to take the steps now to prevent this vision-impairing disease. Many older adults think vision loss is a normal part of aging—but it doesn’t have to be!
What is Age-related Macular Degeneration?
Age-related macular degeneration or AMD is the damage or breakdown of the macula, the central point of focus in the retina. AMD is usually caused by thinning tissues in the eye, which begin to break down during the aging process. Damage to the macula blurs central vision and may worsen over time. While AMD doesn’t typically result in total blindness, it is the leading cause of vision loss in individuals over 60. Unfortunately, there is no cure for AMD, making it all the more important to learn how to prevent it! In fact, science shows that taking preventive measures against AMD—even after its onset—can make a world of difference in improving eye health and that of your whole body.
Types of Age-related Macular Degeneration
There are two main types of age-related macular degeneration.
Dry AMD
Around 80% of individuals affected by age-related macular degeneration have dry AMD. Dry AMD occurs when the macula tissue begins to thin with age and protein clumps known as drusen attach themselves to the macula. The thinning tissue and protein accumulation cause people to lose central vision slowly–and there is no cure.
Wet AMD
Wet AMD causes faster vision loss, but is far less common than dry AMD. This form of age-related macular degeneration is a late stage of the disease; people typically experience dry AMD first. Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow behind the eye and damage the macula. As a result, vision is distorted, making straight lines look wavy. Fortunately, there are treatment options for wet AMD.
Age-related Macular Degeneration Symptoms
Age-related macular degeneration symptoms can be very mild at the onset of the disease and may not become noticeable until the condition progresses. The most important action you can take to catch AMD early is to have an annual eye exam.
Although many people with AMD may not notice symptoms early on, these are the main symptoms to look out for:
- Blurry vision
- Dark or blurry center vision
- Color blindness
- Straight lines appearing wavy
Who is at risk for age-related macular degeneration?
Certain individuals are at a higher risk for age-related macular degeneration. Make sure to know the signs for when you should see an eye doctor and discuss your risk level with your optometrist.
Risk factors for age-related macular degeneration include:
- Family history of the disease
- Being over 50
- Smoking
- Obesity
- High-fat diet
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Increased sun exposure
Preventing Age-related Macular Degeneration
While you can’t do much about having a family history of AMD nor stop growing older, you can do a lot to prevent AMD or slow its progress, especially with early detection. Let’s take a look at the many important ways you can take control of your eye health to keep AMD at bay.
What’s Good for your Heart Is Good for your Eyes
As you will soon learn, heart-healthy habits are good for your eyes, too! Just remembering this one fact helps you prioritize what you do to help protect your eyes.
Schedule Annual Eye Exams
Schedule an eye exam at least once a year (your doctor may recommend more frequent exams) so you can be screened for AMD. Early detection and treatment is the best way to prevent vision loss. Also, having regular eye exams gives you an opportunity to learn useful information from your eye doctor that can make a huge difference in your eye health—and overall health!
Eat a Heart-Healthy and Eye-Healthy Diet
If you research the best foods for eye health to keep your eyes healthy and protected, you’ll find that a heart-healthy diet does wonders for your eyes! Specifically, your heart and eyes benefit from:
- Limiting “bad” fats like bacon, burgers and fried foods
- Adding good fats: avocado, flax seeds, fish high in Omega-3s and eggs
- Choosing fresh fruits and dark-green leafy veggies like spinach, collard greens and kale, which are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin—nutrients for eye health
- Eating to keep yourself trim or slim down if needed
Take Quality Supplements
You want to be proactive about your eye health and these days you have the resources to do just that! To build up your macula and keep your vascular system strong, consider taking supplements for your eyes such as those at Eyetamins.co, Ocuvite and Preservision. Although these supplements can be purchased over the counter or online, be sure to consult with your eye doctor before beginning a supplement regimen.
The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) showed that taking supplements may stop or slow the advancement of AMD. These vitamins include vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc and copper. Your eye doctor can tell you which vitamin supplement is right for you.
Don’t Smoke and if You Do—Quit!
Smoking can lead to cardiovascular disease, increasing the risk of AMD. In fact, people who smoke are from 2.5 to 4.8 times more likely to have AMD as those who don’t! We know it’s not easy to quit smoking, but for the sake of your health and well-being, quitting is crucial.
Protect Your Eyes from the Sun
UV rays from the sun can damage the retina and increase the risk for AMD. Understand the benefits of wearing prescription sunglasses and protect your eyes from the sun when spending time outdoors. Polarized sunglass protect your eyes from blinding glare and are the best option when driving.
Age-related Macular Degeneration Treatment Options
As of now, there is no cure for age-related macular degeneration. However, treatment options are available to slow vision loss and help those living with vision impairments. Your eye doctor can recommend the best treatment for you.
February is Age-related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month
Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss for Americans over 50. However, you can take steps to protect your eyes from AMD and new means of early detection and treatments have made it more manageable than ever. All Visionworks-affiliated optometrists offer comprehensive eye exams, which use digital retinal imaging—a non-invasive, inexpensive technology—and you get the results in 5 seconds! It provides a much more detailed look at the back of your eye than traditional imaging—and there’s no need to have your eyes dilated. This instrument is a game-changer for early diagnosis and management of AMD. Show your eyes some love by scheduling a comprehensive eye exam today!
February is AMD Awareness Month. Join the Visionworks team in spreading awareness and prevention by scheduling an eye exam and AMD screening today. A comprehensive eye exam is the only way to determine if you have AMD and early treatment is the best way to slow vision loss.
Protect your eyes and schedule an eye exam today.
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Information received through Visionworks® content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your eye doctor, physician, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Claims regarding blue light efficiency are supported by manufacturer-provided test results.
