Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a primary cause of vision impairment in older people, reported The Almagest.
According to the article, a number of studies have been conducted to see what the potential risk factors for the eye ailment could be. At this point, the ones that have been identified include hypertension, heart disease, smoking cigarettes and obesity. The article added that people with a family history of AMD are also more likely to get AMD themselves than are people with no family history of the disease.
The article noted that a study conducted at the University Medical Center in Stony, New York involved comparing people AMD sufferers from New York area ophthalmic practices with people without AMD who were visiting the practices for other things like annual eye exams. For the purposes of the study, pictured were taken of the rear portion of the eye and participants were asked about their dietary choices, their medical history, medicine they take, smoking habits and alcohol consumption. Blood samples from the participants were taken to conduct lipid analyses.
Among other things, the study reveals a heightened risk of neovascular AMD for people who have moderate to high blood pressure, but there was zero association with non-neovascular AMD. According to the article, this finding seems to mean that there could be differences in causation as per the two finds of AMD. The authors of the study added that neovascular AMD and hypertension have a comparable underlying cause.
According to the article, people who are more susceptible to getting AMD than are other people can do things to lessen their risk factors. For instance, they can quite smoking, reduce their alcohol consumption, lessen their heart attack risk factors, boost their intake of omega-3 fatty acids such as as by consuming fish and taking vitamin E.
Other reports have highlighted the importance of avoiding obesity and exercising on a regular basis. Annual eye examinations are also recommended since doing so can result in timely diagnosis should AMD present itself. Quick diagnosis opens up a wider range of treatment options that may be able to reverse some of the AMD symptoms or at least slow down the diseases progression.
This article brought to you by PreserveMacForte.com.