Center for Sight, Fall River, Massachusetts

February 9, 2015

Know Macular Degeneration (AMD) Risk Factors

Dr. Robert Kelly, MD
Retina Specialist
As we get older and especially among seniors, it is important to know about age related maculardegeneration (AMD) risk factors as AMD is a leading cause of severe vision loss among Americans ages 65 and over. Knowing your risk factors, being aware of your family history, and scheduling regular eye examinations can help reduce your risks for vision loss from macular degeneration. The vital key to preventing vision loss from age related macular degeneration is early detection, diagnosis and treatment as recommended by your eye doctor.

Know the Top AMD Risks
Ø  Being over the Age of 60
Ø  Having a Family History of AMD
Ø  Cigarette Smoking
Ø  Obesity
Ø  Hypertension

If you have any two of these risk factors, you should schedule an appointment for a complete eye exam if you have not already done so. We may recommend certain preventive measures which can reduce your risk of vision loss from this disorder.

Can AMD Risk Factors be Controlled or Managed?
Some AMD risks can be managed by changing certain lifestyle habits such as stopping smoking, eating a low fat diet rich in green leafy vegetables and reducing alcohol consumption, While genetic factors cannot be changed, knowing your family medical history is one way to learn whether you may be genetically predisposed to a disease. One way to reduce AMD risk is to quit smoking or never start. For patients at high risk for developing late stage AMD, taking a dietary supplement of vitamin C, vitamin E and beta carotene, along with zinc, has been shown to lower the risk of AMD progressing to advanced stages by 25 percent.

Be Aware of the Symptoms of Wet AMD!
Anyone at risk for AMD should become familiar with the symptoms of wet AMD as Wet AMD is the form most likely to cause rapid, serious and potentially catastrophic vision loss. With early detection, diagnosis and treatment it is often possible to avoid or minimize vision loss from Wet AMD.

Symptoms of AMD can include sudden, noticeable loss or distortion of vision, such as seeing “wavy” lines, “distortion”, “bending of straight lines and objects” or even a “distortion of people’s faces” or “a dark or black spot in the center of vision”. If you experience any of these symptoms, please call Center for Sight right away and explain your symptoms and request an immediate appointment. Current treatments for Wet AMD such as Lucentis® Injections and Eylea® Injections provide an excellent chance of stopping vision loss and may actually restore some vision when macular degeneration develops. The earlier we diagnose Wet AMD, the better our chance of offering you a successful treatment.

If you or someone you know has questions about age related macular degeneration (AMD) or needs to schedule an appointment, please feel free to call us at 508-730-2020, visit Center for Sight or www.facebook.com/centerforsightfallriver.

Center for Sight is conveniently located at 1565 North Main Street, Suite 406, Fall River, Massachusetts 02720 for patients from Massachusetts or Rhode Island.