Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of severe vision loss among Americans ages 65 and over. Knowing your risk factors, being aware of your family history, and scheduling regular eye exam appointments with your eye doctor can help reduce your risks for vision loss from macular degeneration. The key to preventing vision loss from age related macular degeneration is early detection, diagnosis and treatment as recommended by your eye doctor.
Know the Top AMD Risks
Know the Top AMD Risks
Ø Being over the Age of 60
Ø Having a Family History of AMD
Ø Cigarette Smoking
Ø Obesity
Ø Hypertension
If you have any two of these risk factors, you should schedule an appointment at Doctor & Associates for a complete eye exam and evaluation if you have not already done so that we can recommend certain preventive measures which can reduce your risk of vision loss from this disease.
Managing AMD Risk Factors
Some AMD risks can be managed by changing certain lifestyle habits such as stopping smoking, eating a low fat diet rich in green leafy vegetables and reducing alcohol consumption, whereas others such as genetic factors cannot be changed. However, knowing your family medical history is one way to learn whether you may be genetically predisposed to a disease. One way to reduce AMD risk is to quit smoking or never start. For patients at high risk for developing late stage AMD, taking a dietary supplement of vitamin C, vitamin E and beta carotene, along with zinc, has been shown to lower the risk of AMD advancing to advanced stages by 25 percent.
Some AMD risks can be managed by changing certain lifestyle habits such as stopping smoking, eating a low fat diet rich in green leafy vegetables and reducing alcohol consumption, whereas others such as genetic factors cannot be changed. However, knowing your family medical history is one way to learn whether you may be genetically predisposed to a disease. One way to reduce AMD risk is to quit smoking or never start. For patients at high risk for developing late stage AMD, taking a dietary supplement of vitamin C, vitamin E and beta carotene, along with zinc, has been shown to lower the risk of AMD advancing to advanced stages by 25 percent.
Know the Symptoms of Wet AMD
With early detection, diagnosis and treatment it is possible to avoid or minimize vision loss from Wet AMD. People who are at risk should know the symptoms of Wet AMD, the form most likely to cause rapid and serious vision loss. These include sudden, noticeable loss or distortion of vision, such as seeing “wavy” lines, “distortion”, “bending of straight lines and objects”. If you experience any of these symptoms, please call Doctor & Associates and explain your symptoms and request an immediate appointment. Current treatments for Wet AMD such as Lucentis® Injections and Eylea® Injections provide an excellent chance of stopping vision loss and may actually restore some vision when macular degeneration develops. Earlier diagnosis of wet AMD gives us the best chance of successful treatment.
If you or someone you know has questions or concerns about their risk of AMD or needs a an eye exam for macular degeneration, please call Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor & Associates or facebook.com/doctorandassociates to schedule an appointment.
Doctor & Associates offices are located at 129 Kings Highway North, Westport, Connecticut 06880, 195 Danbury Road, Wilton, Connecticut 06897 and 148 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851.
Doctor & Associates offices are located at 129 Kings Highway North, Westport, Connecticut 06880, 195 Danbury Road, Wilton, Connecticut 06897 and 148 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851.
