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