Age Related Macular Degeneration AMD - The Facts
Anyone who suffers from Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) wants to find out as much as possible about this debilitating disease. It strikes primarily after the age of 50 and gradually gets worse as a person gets older. The macula (which is in the center of the retina) is what is affected the most as the disease progresses. The macula is what allows a person to see detailed information. When AMD strikes, vision becomes blurry and blind spots start to appear in the central vision field.
People who are experiencing the beginning symptoms of AMD start having trouble recognizing faces, seeing reading material and driving a motor vehicle. Straight lines start to become hazy and distorted. Most people with AMD do not ever lose all of their sight because their peripheral vision remains intact. But, because central vision is affected greatly, everyday tasks become almost impossible to complete.
AMD comes in two forms called Dry and Wet Age Related Macular Degeneration. Most people get dry AMD and there are no effective treatment options that will stop or reverse the affects of the disease. One of the signs of dry AMD is the appearance of soft drusen (small yellow patches) on the macula and retina. Wet AMD is much less common than dry AMD but is much more severe. It can result in total blindness and is evident when abnormal blood vessels are found underneath the retina. These vessels often leak and cause irreversible scarring at the back of the eye.
There are several risk factors that may contribute to developing the disease. The most common factor is aging because AMD appears in most people who are over the age of 75, starting out when the person was as young as 50. Certain risky lifestyles also contribute to the disease. Smoking and being obese are strong indicators that AMD will occur as the person ages. Genetics certainly play a role in the development of the disease. Anyone with a history of AMD in their family should be checked regularly for early signs of the disease. The gene factor H (CFH) seems to be a strong indicator that a person is at high risk for getting Age Related Macular Degeneration AMD.
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