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Macular
Degeneration
Is your
eyesight becoming wavy, spotty, or distorted? These changes
may not just be part of getting older. You have age-related
macular degeneration of other abnormalities of the eye.
Age-related
Macular Degeneration (or AMD) is a common eye disease that
causes deterioration of the macula, the central area of the
retina, the paper-thin tissue at the back of the eye where
light-sensitive cells send visual signals to the brain.
Sharp, clear, “straight ahead” vision is processed
by the macula. Damage to the macula results in the
development of blind spots and blurred or distorted vision.
When the macula becomes damaged, many daily activities such
as driving and reading become increasingly difficult. AMD
usually affects individuals older than 50 years of age, and
scientific evidence shows that genes may play a role in the
development of nearly three out of four cases of this
devastating eye disease.
AMD is a major cause of visual impairment in the United
States. Approximately 1.8 million Americans age 40 and older
have advanced AMD, and another 7.3 million people with
intermediate AMD are at substantial risk for vision loss.
The government estimates that by 2020 there will be 2.9
million people with advanced AMD.
Visit your optometrist and get the inside scoop of what's
happening with your vision. Start here at WildAhiNet and get
informed about AMD. Remember, you have one life, one
vision!
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