Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is one of the most common conditions responsible for eye exam near me vision loss in the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 1.8 million people live with the condition and a further 7.3 million are at risk from developing the condition.
The condition is characterized into two sub-types:
· Dry AMD
· Wet AMD
Wet AMD is much rare than DRY AMD, accounting for nearly 10% of all the cases and for the rareness it is also the cause of much serious vision problems than dry AMD. When it comes to the two types of AMD, macular edemas are a symptom of wet AMD, since the condition is a complication of untreated dry AMD.
What is AMD? Eye Exam Near Me
AMD is caused by degeneration of the macula, a part of the retina responsible for the formation of sharp images in the eye. Although the condition can be caused by other medical problems like diabetes or neuropathy, it has similar symptoms across the board. The degeneration of the macula manifests with the following characteristics:
· Observable waste deposits on the retina; changes in colors of the retina.
· Blurred vision, illusions that straight lines are wavy.
· Appearance of dry areas in the center of the visual field.
· In some cases, people develop macular edemas.
If the condition is left untreated, people might also eventually go blind.
What is a Macular Edema and How Does it Relate to AMD?
A macular edema is a swelling on the retina, particularly on the macula, because the eye can’t absorb the fluid leaking into it. When macular edemas present as part of AMD, it’s usually because the blood vessels surrounding the retina have degenerated to the point of leaking fluid into the eye.
Since the ocular tissue can’t accommodate this excess water, it swells up to cause an Edema. This swelling is responsible for the symptoms of AMD, which are actually caused by abnormalities of the macula.
Prevention Tips for AMD and Related Macular Edemas
Prevention strategies for AMD are categorized into nutritional supplements, lifestyle changes and filtering out excessive sunlight that could irritate the retina. These changes include:
Diet Changes
Studies conducted on different nutritional plans and effects on the progression of AMD found that diets high in Vitamins A, C and E, and zinc were known to reduce the rate of development by 35%.
Further studies also concluded that anti-oxidants found in berries and omega-3 fatty acids can also help hinder the progression.
Lifestyle Changes
Smoking has been directly linked with the development of AMD and smoke cessation is sometimes a necessary preventive measure to stop the disease from progressing. Furthermore, weight loss is also suggested because it helps reduce the risk of CVD and diabetes which can cause degeneration of ocular nerves.
Reducing Sunlight Exposure
Sunlight exposure can also cause AMD and people who show early symptoms must take measures to prevent the development of the condition.
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