Imagine a world in which you can no longer drive. You can’t read books, menus, receipts, instructions, or prescription bottles. You can’t see the microwave button. You can’t see your loved ones’ faces, and meeting new people is a challenge since you have no idea what they look like. You can’t see the beauty of autumn colors, nor can you watch television in the way you once did.
This is the life of the 1.49 million Americans diagnosed with late stage age-related macular degeneration. According to the CDC, approximately 20 million Americans have been diagnosed with the condition. Uncontrollable facts that make someone at risk include age (it can begin as early as age 40 but accelerates significantly at the age of 75), family history, and ethnicity. People of European descent are more likely to develop the disease than other ethnic groups.
The controllable risk factors include smoking (someone who smokes is twice as likely to develop AMD), alcoholic consumption (moderate to high consumption increases the risk), a diet high in saturated fats, and lack of exercise.
To understand AMD, it is crucial to understand the biology. The macula is an area of the retina which allows us to have central vision and see detail. The retina is brain tissue, and it contains rods (peripheral vision) and cones (central vision) that are the light receptors that send signals to the brain to allow us to see images.
Dry MD first appears as a sort of smudge in the macular area. This area can spread to the point of losing all central vision in one or both eyes. Research has discovered that taking AReds2 supplements can slow the progression of the disease in addition to eating a healthy diet consisting of leafy, dark green vegetables, colorful vegetables, lean proteins, and limiting or eliminating alcohol as well as quitting smoking.
Wet MD is a condition in which blood vessels form behind the retina and leak blood, causing permanent damage to that part of the retina. This condition is treated with injections of medicines like Avastin, Lucentis, Eyelet, and others to seal the blood vessel and prevent further spread and damage. Don’t confuse the leak with bloodshot eyes. You cannot see the leak from the outside. It can only be detected with specialized equipment.
Warning signs of a leak include seeing wavy or crooked lines, seeing stationary dark spots (not floaters), and blurry vision. You should see an optometrist or ophthalmologist immediately if you notice these changes in vision.
AMD seldom if ever results in total vision loss. Eighty-five to 90 percent of people considered legally blind have some light perception and vision. Most people misunderstand what legal blindness is. If you cannot see the large “E” on the Snellen chart without glasses but can do so while wearing them, you are not legally blind. Legal blindness cannot be corrected.
Although there are other causes of legal blindness like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, cornea problems, and other health conditions or accidents, AMD is the leading cause of blindness in adults 65 and older. Experts recommend an annual eye exam for everyone 65 and older to enable early detection of this disease.
The bad news is AMD is on the increase because of an aging population. The good news is there are aids and strategies for those who are losing their sight. I will share some of those strategies next week.
Sources used for this article: The American Macular Degeneration Foundation and the Foundation Fighting Blindness
Life As I know it 