(PreserveMacForte.com) Incidents of age-related eye ailments are at an all-time high in the United States of America, according to the Washington Post on September 17.
The article noted that age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy are the four primary causes of vision loss and blindness in the country. And, if previous reports are to be believed, the situation stands to get worse before it gets better as the demographic mostly impacted by these conditions — namely, the elderly — continues to grow. Longer life expectancy rates due to medical advances is one of the reasons for this.
In terms of AMD, there are two types. They include the dry version and the wet version. With the dry version of AMD, the macula’s cells break down and, over time, lead to blurry central vision. With the wet version of AMD, central vision loss results due to the irregular blood vessels overgrowth that drips blood and fluid.
According to the article, one of the most important things people can do to monitor their eye health is to go in for regular check ups. When people go in for annual tests, the eye doctor might dilate their eyes and look behind the retina. The eye doctor could even perform an angiography procedure to see if people have leaky blood vessels. Other articles have noted that the eye doctor might suggest more than the regular annual visit for people who have a family history of AMD.
If AMD is discovered, treatment is obviously an area that people will want to learn about. Unfortunately, none of the various advances in AMD research has been able to figure out how to stop vision loss associated with advanced stages of dry AMD. However, the National Eye Institute suggests that people with less than advanced cases of dry AMD should use supplements that contain large quantities of vitamins E and CE beta carotene with zinc and copper to slow down — and potentially stop — the development of AMD. Although there is presently no cure for the wet form of AMD, eye physicians employ lasers and other means to deal with frail, leaky vessels. Furthermore, medication can impede the growth of leaky vessels, delay vision loss and possibly enhance vision.