Age Related Macular Degeneration Awarenss
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Learn the Top 5 Risk Factors March is AMD Awareness Month, and Southern Eye Associates encourages Americans to know their risks for age-related macular degeneration(AMD). AMD is a leading cause of severe vision loss among Americans ages 65 and over. Knowing your risk factors, being aware of your family history, and keeping regular eye exam appointments can help reduce your risks for vision loss from macular degeneration. In its most severe form, known as wet AMD, the disease can lead to permanent loss of central vision which is essential for driving, reading, and recognizing faces. “The past few years have been marked by significant improvement in understanding the causes and the treatment of AMD,” says Dr. Kurt Heitman, an ophthalmologist with Southern Eye Associates. “New research and clinical advances are helping us to better treat both the “dry” AMD and “wet” forms of AMD. One strong risk factor that people may not be aware of is family history. It’s important to find out whether your relatives have had AMD, and to tell your ophthalmologist (“Eye M.D.”), if you have a history of AMD in your family. Knowing your risks can save your sight.” Here are the top 5 risk factors for AMD: Being over the age of 60 Having a family history of AMD Cigarette smoking Obesity Hypertension If you have any two of these risk factors, you should schedule an appointment with an Eye M.D. for a complete evaluation. Your Eye M.D. may recommend certain preventive measures which can reduce your risk of vision loss from this disorder. People who are at risk should know the symptoms of wet AMD, the form most likely to cause rapid and serious vision loss. These include sudden, noticeable loss or distortion of vision, such as seeing “wavy”lines. Current treatments for wet AMD provide an excellent chance of stopping vision loss and may actually restore some vision when macular degeneration develops. Earlier diagnosis of wet AMD gives a better chance of successful treatment. About AMD The disease takes two forms, termed “dry” and “wet.” Early-stage AMD: Yellow deposits called “drusen” develop under the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that focuses images and relays them to the optic nerve. At this stage, most people would do not have reduced vision. Intermediate AMD: Patients have more and larger drusen and more pigment changes in the macula (the part of the retina responsible for central vision); they are at higher risk for both advanced dry and wet AMD. The majority of those with intermediate AMD do not progress to an advanced stage, but should be followed by an Eye M.D. so they can be treated if needed. Advanced“dry” AMD: Patients with more advance dry AMD may have a blind spot in their central vision. Currently there is no proven therapy to restore vision lost from advanced dry AMD. Low-vision technologies, including improved lighting and magnification, help maintain their quality of life. Advanced“wet” AMD: In this stage, abnormal blood vessel form under the retina. These blood vessels can leak fluid or bleed and cause sudden and drastic loss of central vision. Although only about 10 percent of the 10 to 15 million Americans with AMD have the “wet” form, it is responsible for most severe vision loss. New, highly effective treatments such as the injectable medications ranibizumab and bevacizumab are dramatically reducing damage from“wet” AMD and can stabilize vision in more than 90 percent of patients and actually improve vision in up to 30 to 40 percent of patients. Southern Eye Associates is an ophthalmology practice with offices in Greer and
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