You can feel aging in your joints and muscles, but your aging eyes don’t alert you with aches and pains. Instead, deterioration often occurs without you noticing anything.
So when it comes to your vision, as you grow older, be vigilant about changes in your eyesight. Keep reading to learn if age-related macular degeneration has any symptoms!
What is Macular Degeneration?
Age-related macular degeneration, also known as AMD, is an eye condition that can develop with age. It’s most common in adults over sixty years of age and is the leading cause of vision loss in those over sixty-five.
The macula, a portion of the retina near the optic nerve, can grow thinner as you grow older. The macula enables you to see clearly in your direct line of sight.
As it thins, you may lose cells that play a key role in vision.
Types of macular degeneration
While there are two types of macular degeneration, one gives rise to the other. Dry macular degeneration is considered to be the early stage of the disease.
As it worsens, it can become what’s known as wet macular degeneration. While only ten percent of dry macular degeneration cases progress to late-stage disease, wet macular degeneration accounts for ninty of the blindness caused by all instances of this condition.
Symptoms of Macular Degeneration
If you experience one or more of these symptoms, you may have macular degeneration:
- There’s a blurry or blind spot in your central vision in one or both eyes
- You see visual distortions, such a straight lines bending
- You need a brighter light for reading or close work
- When you enter a low-light situation, it’s difficult for your eyes to adjust
- Words on the page or screen look blurry
- Colors aren’t as intense or bright
- It’s hard to recognize faces
Macular degeneration can affect one or both eyes. But if it’s only present in one eye, the other eye will compensate, and you may not notice any of the above symptoms.
Macular degeneration primarily affects central vision, so you’ll still retain peripheral vision. Once dry macular degeneration turns into wet macular degeneration, vision loss can occur much faster.
Early detection
The best way to detect dry macular degeneration is through routine eye exams. In most cases, your eye doctor can detect macular degeneration through a simple eye exam when looking at the back of your eye with a special lens and microscope.
Prevention
For this and other eye health issues, it’s essential to optimize good health. If you follow these recommendations, you can cut your risk of developing macular degeneration:
Manage Your Medical Conditions
Control your cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure with medication and diet.
Quit Smoking
You’re at higher risk if you’re a smoker.
Watch Your Weight
Eat a healthier diet, take a daily walk, and take small steps for a significant impact.
Focus on Fruits and Vegetables
Choose these over processed foods. You’ll be getting much-needed antioxidant vitamins that’ll reduce your risk.
Eat Fish and Nuts
You’ve heard about omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and walnuts. Eating them naturally is the best way to get the total value of their benefits.
Do you want to learn more about macular degeneration or if you are at risk of developing it? Schedule an appointment at Metro Eye Care in Paramus, NJ, today!
