Eyecare Insights

FEBRUARY is National Macular Generation Awareness Month. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recognizes the month of February to promote awareness about Age-related Macular Degeneration, also called simply macular degeneration or AMD, the nation’s leading cause of vision loss. We want to give you information regarding AMD and offer insights into how to prevent or stop the progression of macular degeneration.

WHAT IS AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION? AMD is a deterioration of the eye’s macula, the central part of the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye called the retina. The macula is much more light sensitive than the rest of the retina and helps us focus in fine detail, such as the ability to recognize faces, read fine print, read street signs, etc. FACTS ABOUT AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION: According to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, AMD affects more than ten million Americans, more than cataracts and glaucoma combined. -AMD is the leading cause of vision loss among people over 50. The disease usually affects people who are 60+, but it can occur earlier. -Age is the major risk factor for AMD. Other risk factors include smoking and people with a family history of AMD. -People of Caucasian descent are more likely to develop AMD than those of African American or Hispanic/Latino descent. -AMD does not lead to complete blindness, only affecting your finest central vision. AMD usually does not impact your peripheral vision. People with advanced AMD may develop legal blindness due to loss of central vision. -There is no cure for AMD, only treatments that can help slow its progression. -AMD usually affects both eyes, but one eye may be affected before the second eye. -Many people do not know they have AMD until they have a noticeable vision problem, or until it is discovered during a routine eye examination. -There are two kinds of AMD, “wet” and “dry.” -Early detection is key to slowing the progression of AMD. .