(PreserveMacForte.com) The phrase, “See you tomorrow,” might have to be taken figuratively rather than literally by some people with advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to Cape Cod Times recently.
As it turns out, in excess of 8 million people in the U.S. who are living with AMD in the intermediate and advanced stages might not be able to literally see anyone — at least not clearly — now or later.
A chronic eye ailment, AMD harms the macula situated at the back of the eye. What this damage results in is sight loss in center portion of the field of vision of the eye. AMD happens to be the primary cause of vision loss among those who are 60 and up.
Dr. Kameran Lashkari, a retina specialist who is connected to Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School, said in the article that about 20 million people will by 2020 be living with some kind of AMD. Putting things into perspective, he added that the tally of AMD cases will be more than all the combined cases of cancer. The reason for this, he explained, is that the population is aging… and people are living longer.
But, of course, getting older is a part of life, so what other factors might contribute to AMD? People who light up and puff on cigarettes are twice more likely to be diagnosed with AMD. People who are Caucasian are more likely to develop the eye condition. And if people who have a family history of the ailment are more likely to develop AMD than if there were no family history.
Dr. Johanna Seddon, who heads the Ophthalmic Epidemiology and Genetics Service at the New England Eye Center at Tufts Medical Center, said in the article that smoking boosts the odds of getting not only AMD, but also cataracts. Why? Smoking elevates inflammation and oxidation to the eye. She also advised that people are more likely to get AMD if first-degree relatives are AMD patients. As such, “nature” and well as “nurture” play a role.
According to Dr. Harry Glen, an ophthalmologist who works at Mass Eye and Ear, what people consume is also a contributing factor to AMD development. He said that studies have demonstrated that those who reduce the amount of saturated fats and boost the amounts of produce they take in can lessen their odds of getting AMD. He added that reducing UV light exposure is another strategy people can employ to reduce their chanced of coming down with AMD.
Reference: http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120906/LIFE/209060307