Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in Americans over 65 years of age. 1. It is a progressive eye disease that causes deterioration of the macula—the small, central part of the retina that allows us to see fine details. While AMD rarely causes total blindness, it often results in significant loss of central vision. Close to 2 million Americans are estimated to have advanced AMD, and an additional 7.3 million people are at substantial risk of losing vision from the disease. 2. However, new therapies that help slow and even reverse vision loss are available.
AMD affects the ability to see centrally, both near and far.This loss of central vision makes everyday tasks such as driving, reading, and watching television difficult.You may also find it hard to recognize faces and adjust from dark to light conditions. However, most people with AMD keep a reasonable amount of their peripheral vision and can learn to adapt and make the most of their remaining vision.
WHAT ARE THE RISKFACTORS FOR AMD? S
Age : Age is the greatest risk factor for AMD. People over age 60 are at greater risk than other age groups.
Gender and Race: Women may have a greater risk of developing AMD than men do, and Caucasians are more likely than Blacks to lose vision from AMD.
Diet and Nutrition: Nutrition can have a huge impact on your risk for AMD. A diet high in saturated fat and low in antioxidants can be harmful to your eyes.
Smoking: Smoking reduces the protective antioxidants in the eye and can increases the risk of AMD.
Obesity Research has found a link between obesity and the progression of early or intermediate stage AMD to late stage AMD. Being overweight or obese can also contribute to heart disease, which is harmful to your eyes.
High Blood Pressure :High blood pressure and other risk factors for heart disease raise the risk of AMD, possibly because of the impact on blood vessels supplying nutrition to the retina.