(PreserveMacForte.com) World Sight Day, which occurred on October 11, focused on issues pertaining to blindness and what people can do to protect their eye health, reported The News Today.
According to the article, there are 285 million persons around the globe who are visually impaired and, of that amount, 8.7% have age-related macular degeneration (AMD). While the condition generally impacts only older persons, getting old does not necessarily mean having to ultimately deal with this eye condition. In fact, it is entirely possible, with the appropriate preventative measures, to live a long and productive life without ever having to experience AMD.
According to the article, AMD is a term used to describe the degeneration of the retina. The blindness-causing ailment, which usually strikes the segment of the population that is more than 50 years old, can cause a number of negative side effects. For instance, persons with AMD might experience difficulty driving vehicles, reading books and magazines, watching television and recognizing the faces of even close relatives. While there are various treatments available to slow down the progression of the eye condition, there is no cure.
There are things that can increase the odds of getting AMD. So those who want to keep their eyes healthy should stay away from smoking, stay at an ideal weight by eating right and exercising regularly, reduce exposure to ultra violet rays, eat plenty of leafy green vegetables and fish containing omega-3 fatty acids, and maintain a healthy blood pressure. Those who have a family history of AMD should be particularly vigilant when it comes to going in for eye exams and tests. Even if there is no family history of AMD, it’s a good idea to see an eye care specialist annually for a check up. And people should see their eye doctor right away if they notice any changes to their vision.
Some studies suggest that AMD will become more prevalent due to the aging population. Medical advances are helping people to live longer, but since AMD adversely impacts people who are older, the end result is that there are bound to be more AMD cases in the years ahead.
Reference: http://www.newstoday.com.bd/index.php?option=details&news_id=2327063&date=2012-10-22