Important Information About Age Related Macular Disease
Age related macular disease (ARMD) is a condition that usually strikes people who are over the age of 50. It can come on slowly and start in only one eye. Dry macular degeneration comes on slowly and advances in three stages: early, moderate and advanced. The other form of the disease, wet ARMD, generally progresses very quickly to the advanced stage of the disease. Dry macular can sometimes be delayed by certain medications whereas wet macular requires more invasive treatments such as drug therapy and surgery.
The disease, in either form, is one of the most common reasons that older people experience vision loss and even blindness. It generally starts at around age 50 and gradually gets worse as a person ages. There are many senior citizens that have the disease and it continues to be a concerning problem because of the large percentage of baby boomers who continue to make up the general population.
ARMD is a serious eye disease that affects the macula and retina. These two eye components are responsible for the central vision that a person must have in order to be able to read clearly, do detailed work and drive a motor vehicle. The disease has many causes, the most common being aging. But there are other factors as well. Heredity plays an important role also. People with the gene factor H (CFH) are more prone to the disease. There also is growing evidence that the gene factor B may also contribute to getting ARMD. The disease also can develop from life style factors such as spending too much time in the sun, being obese, being addicted to nicotine, and having high blood pressure.
Age related macular disease is often difficult to detect, especially in the very early stages. It is usually a painless process and vision loss is slow. This is not necessarily true with wet ARMD because vision loss can occur quickly with this form of the disease. Early signs are evident when central vision becomes fuzzy and distorted. Sometimes wavy lines appear in the vision field also. Oftentimes, the disease is detected during a routine eye exam when the Ophthalmologist or Optometrist administers an Amsler grid test.
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