It’s important to take care of your eyes as we age. Macular Degeneration is a common problem that comes along with aging caused by the deterioration of the tissue in the eye. It is the leading cause of vision loss of those over 50 years old.
Macular Degeneration occurs when there is damage to a small spot near the center of the retina called the macula. The macula is millions of light sensing cells essential for sharp central vision. The retina turns light coming into the eye into electrical signals, which travels through the optic nerve and into the brain. When the macula is damaged you may see blind spots, distortion, dark and blurry vision; there are two types of this chronic eye disease, the wet and dry.
The wet type is less likely to occur but is more serious. Symptoms include, straight lines appearing wavy or crooked, blurry spots, objects may seem farther away or smaller than they really are. This disease can progress rapidly without proper treatment.
The symptoms for the dry macular degeneration includes written words appearing blurry, difficult time recognizing objects, and diminished color. This type develops much slower than the wet form and there are supplements that have shown to slow down the progression.
According to a recent poll, Americans fear loosing their eye sight than any other disability. The study also indicates by 2025 the United States population over 65 years old will be six times more likely to contract Macular Degeneration than in 1990. “As ‘baby boomers’ age and a higher percentage each age 60, age-related macular degeneration will become an even more serious medical issue,” said Dr. Carl Kupfer, director of the National Eye Institute, National Institute of Health.
Early detection is imperative when it comes to any eye issue. Macular Degeneration have very few symptoms in the early stages which is why it is so important to have regular exams
Schedule your appointment today with Lake Nona Eye Care for healthy eyes.
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