BackWhat to Know About Macular Degeneration
Article submitted by Kirk Eye Center.
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Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss. This condition may cause permanent loss of your central vision, making it difficult or impossible to read, drive, or recognize faces. It does not affect your side, or peripheral vision. For example you would be able to see the outline of a clock, but not what time it is. It makes everyday tasks difficult, if not impossible, but seldom causes total blindness.
Many people develop macular degeneration as a part of the body's aging process. Most people with AMD begin to notice problems with their eyesight after the age of 50. It is especially important to have yearly eye exams with an ophthalmologist to detect any early signs of the disease. Symptoms may include blurry distance vision; dark or blank spots in your vision. Colors may not look the same for each eye.
Upon diagnosis of macular degeneration, your doctor may perform a test called fluorescein angiography. In order to do this test, fluorescein dye is put into your arm. The dye travels throughout the body, including the eyes. A series of photographs are taken as the dye passes through the blood vessels of the retina. Abnormal areas will be highlighted by the dye indicating to your doctor whether or not treatment is possible. In some cases you may also be asked to use a chart called an Amsler Grid to monitor your vision on a daily basis.
The eye, like any other part of the body, benefits from a healthy diet. There is compelling new scientific evidence that three antioxidant vitamins and the mineral zinc may reduce the impact of AMD in some people. These vitamins, while being helpful in maintaining your current vision, are not a cure for AMD, nor will they restore the vision that you have already lost. An ophthalmologist can deter-mine whether the supplements are right for you.
New forms of medical, surgical and laser treatments are being evaluated. While we do not know how to prevent or cure AMD, we are learning more about this common age-related condition.