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The causes of AMD are unknown, but those who smoke or have diets low in antioxidant nutrients are at risk. Other risk factors are obesity and lack of exercise. AMD destroys an important part of the retina that provides sharp vision. It also damages central vision, and can cause legal blindness and vision impairment among senior citizens.
Evidence suggests that the loss of vision and depth perception increases the chance of accidental harm. Many seniors living in their homes could be at risk of a dangerous fall because of their vision impairment. According to the National Eye Institute, there are two forms of age-related macular degeneration: dry and wet. The dry form of this eye disease is the most common form, affecting more than 90 percent of those suffering from AMD.
It involves the presence of fatty AMD/Low
Vision Awareness Month deposits under the light-sensing cells in the
retina. Late dry AMD deteriorates the supportive layer of the retina
that helps keep cells healthy. Studies have shown that over 1.6
million Americans age 50 and older suffer with late AMD. Patients
with macular degeneration suffer from a loss of central vision, but
many times are able to see out of the corners of their eyes. This
impairment makes it difficult to read, write, walk and recognize
faces. To an elder, a diagnosis of AMD could seem like a sentence to
social isolation. That is why it is so important to take direct
action to prevent this debilitating disease. According to the Yale
University School of Medicine, nearly 250,000 people can avoid
developing macular degeneration over the next five years by taking a
combination of antioxidants and zinc. As always, it is important to talk to a healthcare professional before starting any treatment. If you think you might suffer from AMD, take action immediately; it might even save your eyesight.
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