Macular Degeneration Information
Macular degeneration destroys your precise, central vision. Also called age-related macular degeneration (AMD), this disease is a leading cause of vision loss in the United States.
Your central vision enables you to see objects clearly and safely perform tasks like driving, and leisure activities like reading.
What it Does
Macular degeneration affects your macula—the part of your eye that allows you to see fine details. While this condition doesn’t hurt, it kills your macula. You may notice little change in your vision over time; or it may happen quickly, resulting in vision impairment in both eyes.
Since older adults are representing an increasingly large percentage of the American population, vision loss from macular degeneration is an escalating problem.
On the Rise
In 2004, there were about 1.75 million people in the United States suffering from age-related macular degeneration. Experts estimate that by 2020 that number will skyrocket to 3 million.
Besides affecting older people, macular degeneration affects white people—females especially. Also if your eyes are lighter in color, you may be at a higher risk because you do not have the extra pigment found in darker eye colors to protect your eye.
Other risk factors for macular degeneration include:
- A family history or immediate family members with macular degeneration
- Smoking cigarettes or frequently inhaling second-hand smoke
- Obesity or inactivity
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Toxic drugs (anti-malarial and anti-psychotics in particular
If you or a loved one may be suffering from macular degeneration, please contact the Eye Center of North Florida today.
