Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a vision impairment that can lead to blindness, is a serious concern in many places around the globe, particularly as people start to get older.
A recent article on DoctorsVisionCenter.com highlighted 10 different macular degeneration facts. The facts include the following:
1. AMD is an eye condition that mostly occurs in people who are 50 years old and above.
2. Studies have demonstrated that people who smoke cigarettes can increase their odds of being diagnosed with AMD. In fact, smokers double their risks of getting AMD compared to non-smokers.
3. AMD adversely impacts some racial groups more than others. For instance, research has shown that Caucasians are more likely to get AMD than are people who are of African descent.
4. AMD is a genetic ailment, which means that people with family members diagnosed with AMD are more likely to also get AMD than are people with no family history of the eye disease. People who do have a family history of AMD should consult their eye care specialist to determine what steps they can take to lessen their odds of getting AMD.
5. There are two kinds of macular degeneration. The dry form and the wet form. Wet AMD, which occurs when irregular blood vessels leak blood and fluids in the eye, is considered the more serious of the two.
6. Studies show that one-tenth of people who are diagnosed with dry AMD go on to develop wet AMD.
7. People diagnosed with wet AMD make up the majority of AMD sufferers who experience vision loss.
8. Research has demonstrated that people who eat plenty of leafy great vegetables and fish can lower their odds of getting macular degeneration.
9. In the United States, there are around 2.3 million undiagnosed AMD sufferers.
10. People who take the Macula Risk genetic test can find out their chances of eventually getting AMD.
According to the article, regular visits with an eye care specialist is important because early diagnosis of AMD can lessen the odds of suffering irreversible vision loss. The article added that people should, during their annual eye exam, ask their doctor about taking the Macula Risk test.
Reference: http://www.doctorsvisioncenter.com/10-amd-facts/