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Macular degeneration, or age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is a leading cause of vision loss in Americans over 60. The macula is a small area in the retina, located at the back of your eye, and it is responsible for your central vision, letting you clearly see small details. With AMD, the cells in this area start to die, leaving you with blurriness, dark areas, or distortion in your central vision.
There are two types of AMD. Most people have the dry form. With this form, you will experience a gradual loss of your central vision. There is no medication or treatment for dry AMD at this time, but some people benefit from vitamin therapy. If you have dry AMD, ask your ophthalmologist if you should be taking vitamins.
Wet or exudative macular degeneration affects about 10% of people with macular degeneration. With this condition, new blood vessels grow beneath the retina and leak fluid or blood. Vision loss with wet AMD is usually faster and more noticeable than it is with the dry form. There are treatments available for this form of AMD, and the earlier it is treated, the better the chances of preserving your vision.
There are many risk factors for AMD. These include a family history of AMD, an overactive immune system, smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, and high cholesterol levels. It's important to try to reduce your risk of developing AMD by controlling these factors. Studies have also shown that eating dark leafy greens and brightly colored fruits and vegetables can help reduce your risk of developing AMD, so be sure to eat your veggies!
For more information on AMD, visit eyeSmart.
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