Preserving Your Vision: How to Manage Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) sounds like a mouthful. Yet, its impact on vision is straightforward. It is one of the leading causes of vision loss for older adults.

While it does not usually cause complete blindness, it can severely impact your central vision. Things like reading, driving, or recognizing faces get tricky. Fortunately, you can take steps to manage it and keep your eyesight as sharp as possible.

What Is AMD?

AMD affects the macula. This part of your retina is responsible for sharp, central vision. Picture a camera lens, when the lens is damaged, the picture gets blurry. That is what happens with this eye condition.

There are two main types:

Dry AMD is the more common and slower-progressing form, and wet AMD is less common but more aggressive. Dry AMD occurs when your eye’s macula thins over time. Wet AMD develops when some abnormal blood vessels grow under your retina, leaking fluid or blood.

Both can affect your vision, but they do so differently.

The Sneaky Symptoms

AMD often starts without noticeable symptoms. You will not suddenly notice issues with your vision. Instead, its changes creep in slowly. You might notice blurry spots in the center of your vision or find it harder to see fine details. Straight lines could even look wavy or distorted.

Who Is Most at Risk?

Several factors increase your chances of developing it, including:

• Age — The risk goes up as you age, especially after 50.
• Family history — If your parents or siblings have AMD, you might also be more likely to develop it.
• Smoking — Cigarettes do not just harm your lungs—they are bad for your eyes, too.
• Poor diet — A lack of leafy greens and omega-3s might not cause AMD directly, but it does not help.

Also, prolonged sun exposure without protection could increase your risk. If any of these sound like you, it is time to be proactive.

What Can You Do to Manage AMD?

Managing AMD is about more than curing it. There is no definitive cure yet. You can do plenty to slow its progression and preserve your vision.
 

• Get regular eye exams — Regular checkups can catch changes before they worsen.
• Adopt a healthy diet — Think spinach, kale, and other leafy greens. Add in fatty fish like salmon, which are rich in omega-3s.
• Quit smoking — This is one of the best things you can do for your eyes and overall health.
• Protect your eyes from UV light — Invest in quality sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays.
• AREDS supplements can slow AMD in some cases.

Treatments like injections or laser therapy can also help reduce damage. Injections into the eye sound terrifying, but they can make a big difference.

Managing AMD comes down to being proactive. Schedule annual eye exams, eat a balanced diet, and wear proper sunglasses.

Vision is one of those things most people tend to take for granted until it is not working the way it should. So, give your eyes the care they deserve.

For more information on AMD, visit the Prism Eye Center at our Post Falls, Idaho, office. Call (208) 203-7616 to schedule an appointment today.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15246-macular-degeneration

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/age-related-macular-degeneration-early-detection-and-timely-treatment-may-help-preserve-vision-2020112421362