Macular degeneration becomes more common as we age.
Age-related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) affects around 11 million Americans and can lead to progressive irreversible central vision loss. This can make common activities like driving, reading, and watching TV difficult or impossible. For patients over 55, we recommend yearly eye exams to detect conditions like ARMD. There are two types of ARMD.
Dry ARMD occurs when a build up of metabolic debris accumulates in our macula, in the back of our eyes. Patients can range from being asymptomatic to different degrees of visual distortions. We know increasing age as well as smoking increases the risk for this condition. These patients are typically monitored about every six months with dilated eye examinations.
Wet ARMD is more aggressive and refers to new inappropriate blood vessel growth or macular hemorrhage. Wet ARMD can profoundly impact vision making activities like reading, driving, and recognizing faces nearly impossible. Either variety of ARMD affects our central vision and can make daily tasks difficult to complete. Wet macular degeneration usually requires injections, from a retinal specialist. These injections help to minimize further damage; however, these injections typically do not improve vision. This makes the early detection and prompt treatment of ARMD vital for maintaining vision as we get older.
For patients with macular degeneration, checking their Amsler grid is important for detecting progression of ARMD at home. Additionally, taking an AREDS2 multivitamin can help slow down the worsening of macular degeneration by about 25%. Eating green leafy vegetables and wearing sunglasses outdoors is also thought to help minimize impact of ARMD.
Early detection of ARMD helps patients retain their best possible vision; call 419-521-3937 to setup an appointment today!
