What is age-related macular degeneration (AMD)?
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss in adults over the age of 50. It typically causes loss of central, detailed vision which results in difficulty with tasks such as reading, driving, threading a needle, or recognizing faces.
Who is at Risk?
While the cause is unknown, there are Risk Factors…
- Family history of AMD
- Aging: predominantly occurs in those over 65
- Race: Caucasians have a higher incidence of AMD
- Sex: females are affected at a greater rate (perhaps due to living longer)
- Light colored eyes
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Obesity
- High sun exposure
- Poor diet
Symptoms can include:
- Central vision becomes blurry at first, sometimes progressing to a total loss of central vision
- Straight lines look ‘wavy’
- Colors, particularly pastels, become harder to distinguish from one another
- Seeing in dim light becomes more difficult
What you can do:
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Live a healthy lifestyle.
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Ask your eye doctor about supplements like Vitalux AREDS II.
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Keep up with your Eye Appointments and Dilated Health Exams. Starting treatment early can slow the progression of the disease. An early referral is best!
For more information visit https://www.fightingblindness.ca/eyehealth/eye-diseases/age-related-macular-degeneration/ and book your comprehensive eye exam today!