Macular Degeneration, also known as AMD, is the leading cause of vision loss in older adults. Many adults over the age of 60 suffer from AMD. Macular Degeneration is when the macula, which is the part of the eye responsible for seeing objects clearly, is gradually damaged. Some young adults suffer from AMD, and smoking is a leading cause of Macular Degeneration.
AMD can happen very gradually. In fact, some of those diagnosed with AMD don’t notice their vision worsening for a long time. Other people, however, experience a fast decline in vision, with vision being lost in one or both eyes. Vision loss associated with AMD means that people have trouble recognizing faces, driving, reading, writing, and completing basic daily tasks.
The only way to diagnose AMD is through a dilated eye exam. In fact, there are no symptoms in the early or intermediate stages of AMD.
If AMD is caught early, progression of the disease can be stopped or slowed down with proper treatment. It’s best to keep up with regular eye exams to detect AMD as soon as possible.
If you are concerned about AMD or are noticing a loss of vision, contact Riverdale Ophthalmology today.