In addition to the things we hear over and over again regarding the results of exercise and smart eating – like fewer heart attacks and strokes, longer life and even a lower chance of dementia – the health of your eyes also depends at least in part on personal lifestyle decisions.
Add Age-Related Macular Degeneration, or AMD, to the list of maladies that can be avoided or delayed by living life right.
What to look for
AMD is caused by deformations in the macula, the area in the center of the light-sensing retina at the back of the eye. The disease comes in two forms: Dry and wet.
In the dry form, small lumps of fat grow in the macula. The disease first causes a dimming or distortion of sight. As AMD progresses, a black spot may appear in the center of vision in the affected eye as the macula further disintegrates.
The wet version of the disease has a similar effect, but it is caused by extra blood vessels growing and leaking within the macula, which may cause straight lines to appear wavy. Fewer people have this form of the disease, but it is considered the most serious because vision loss is usually more severe.
AMD can occur as early as age 50 and affects almost 30% of people over 75.
Is it inevitable?
The steps you can take to forestall AMD will sound familiar:
· Include green leafy vegetables, fruit, fish and whole grains in your diet.
· Don’t smoke
· Exercise regularly
· Watch your weight
· Get regular eye check-ups
It is also smart to keep track of your eye health.
If you are in the majority of the population, you will not be struck by this disease, which is treatable but not curable.
Chances are, however, you know someone who lives with AMD. And you should definitely ensure that your optometrist or ophthalmologist checks for it every time you get an eye exam.
People with the early stages of AMD will notice increased light sensitivity when they move from outdoor sunlight to the indoors. They may also find it difficult to detect changes in texture, which could hamper their ability to notice a carpet on the floor or bumps in a sidewalk. Eyeglasses with yellow lenses may help both situations and at the same time help prevent falls.
For people in which AMD causes a loss of central vision, regular glasses no longer help. However, specialized glasses, with prisms and increased magnification can allow someone with AMD to continue to watch TV or movies.Wearing sunglasses with 100% protection against ultra-violet A and B rays also helps prevent AMD. Always check with your optician if your sunglasses do have this protection since wearing dark uncoated lenses can be more harmful than wearing none at all
If you or someone you know thinks AMD might be causing vision problems, the Optical Shop of Westport can refer you to ophthalmologists who will provide a diagnosis. We are always available as well to provide guidance about eye care, as well as eyeglasses that will keep you looking your best.