It's February--Mardi Gras month! Did you know that February is also Age-Related Macular Degeneration Awareness month? It sounds like a bit of a mouthful, but it's important when it comes to your eye health. Keep reading to learn more about this eye condition!
What is AMD?
Age-related macular degeneration is a leading cause of vision loss for people over 50. This makes it an extremely common eye condition. AMD occurs when the macula, which is part of the retina, becomes damaged. The macula handles keeping our central vision sharp and accurate. With AMD, arteries that should sustain the macula start hardening. When this happens, retinal tissues start to weaken and eventually die. When retinal tissues die, it leads to vision loss.
Who is at risk for AMD?
Since age-related macular degeneration develops over time, don't rely on its symptoms. Most patients only notice any vision loss after AMD has become more advanced.
Common symptoms include:
- blurry vision
- a dark spot or area that appears in the middle of your vision
- loss of color vision over time
- less able to see objects clearly over time
Some of these symptoms are the same as other eye conditions. If you notice any of them, schedule an eye exam. Catching AMD early minimizes your risk of losing a significant amount of your vision!
Preventing AMD
Telling your eye doctor about your family history and getting regular eye exams can help you find out about the disease early, when treatments can be most effective. Quitting smoking, or never starting, is an important way to prevent AMD. Having a healthy lifestyle and lowering cholesterol can help lower your risk for AMD. Eating green, leafy vegetables--they contain vitamins and minerals that have been shown to lower your risk of developing AMD.
It’s always a good time to take steps to reduce your risk for eye problems such as AMD. Talk to your friends and family about the importance of having a healthy lifestyle and scheduling comprehensive eye exams to help prevent permanent vision loss.