Age Related Macula Degeneration (Or ARMD)
Age Related Macula Degeneration is more commonly known as ARMD and it is an eye disease that older people often endure. It is one of those debilitating diseases that senior citizens must deal with along with other age related diseases like arthritis, hearing and osteoporosis. Its symptoms include blind spots and wavy lines in the central vision field and blurred vision. Other things like straight lines appearing to be crooked, objects looking smaller than they really are and faces that seem to be unrecognizable sometimes occur.
If any of these symptoms are experienced, it’s time to see an Ophthalmologist to get a firm diagnosis. This is especially important if wet ARMD is found because further evaluation by a specialist in retina disorders needs to be seen immediately. Wet ARMD is the most severe form of the disease and can lead to total blindness very rapidly. The more gradual form of the disease, dry ARMD, also needs attention but it progresses much more slowly than the other form.
The disease itself attacks the macula of the eye and affects the retina found within it. The retina is essential for doing detail work, reading and recognizing a wide range of colors and objects. Its cause is unknown but people with certain risk factors have a higher chance of getting it. Watching out for risks of ARMD such as high blood pressure, being overweight, smoking and a having a high cholesterol count is important. Genetic factors and aging are other risks associated with the disease and, of course, there’s nothing that can be done to eliminate them. And, the disease is more likely to occur in women and in people of the Caucasian race.
A large part of the population in the United States is affected by ARMD. Almost 12 percent of people between the ages of 65 and 74 have some form of the disease. As the baby boomers become older, even more people will have it and will need some sort of treatment. A cure has yet to be found but the disease can be kept somewhat under control during the early stages. Wet ARMD can be treated through laser treatments and surgery but the results are not always positive. Dry Age Related Macula Degeneration can be delayed in the early stages through certain types of medications.
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