In the U.S., more than 10,000 people suffer from macular degeneration, an incurable eye condition affecting individuals primarily over the age of 55.
The Macular Degeneration Foundation predicts the prevalence of the eye condition nearing an epidemic proportion by the year 2025. Though you cannot cure macular degeneration once you have it, you can take steps to understand what it is and what to expect.
What is the macula?
The macula is the central portion of the retina, the part of the eye that registers what you are looking at and sends the image from the eye to the brain. The macula keeps your vision centered on what you are looking at. This function plays an important part in reading, driving, and seeing specific features and details.
How does macular degeneration occur?
Macular degeneration develops when the macula deteriorates. This deterioration significantly affects vision. Advanced age seems to be the main trigger for the eye condition, so it is often referred to as age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
What are wet and dry macular degeneration?
Macular degeneration usually develops into two types: dry and wet. The majority of people with the condition end up with dry macular degeneration. This form of the condition results in impaired or blurred central vision. Symptoms include difficulty adapting to dim lighting, trouble seeing words or faces clearly, and haziness or blind spots affecting your central vision.
Wet macular degeneration also causes problems with the center of the field of vision and occurs in approximately 10% of those afflicted with macular degeneration. . This form of the condition is the result of blood and fluids leaking from abnormal blood vessels. Usually, the condition starts out as dry macular degeneration and progresses into the second type. Unlike the dry macular degeneration, wet symptoms appear and progress rapidly and include distorted vision, blind spots and an impaired perception of the intensity of light and color.
What happens if I am diagnosed with AMD?
No real cause is known for the development of macular degeneration aside from old age. There is no treatment available to cure the condition, but you can take steps to be proactive in your eye health. With a dry diagnosis, progression is gradual. See your eye doctor annually and have the condition monitored. Ask about lifestyle changes, such as taking vitamins, that may reduce the impairment brought on by macular degeneration. With the wet form of the condition, your doctor may be able to prescribe medications to prevent further growth of abnormal blood vessels.
Overall, macular degeneration is the breaking down of the macula as you age. Certain risk factors can increase your odds of developing the condition, such as age, family history or race, but it is a rising problem for many older people in general. The condition cannot be cured, but awareness of what the symptoms are and ways to reduce the severity of the vision impairment can help. Vision loss will impact your life, but awareness can give you the ability to prepare and find techniques to manage life successfully with macular degeneration.
