Macular Degeneration Explained

Answer 1

Around the age of 60, people need to be concerned about the condition known as age-related macular degeneration. At this time, the maculae, the areas on the eye that allow for the detection of the details within objects, can begin to deteriorate. When this happens, people begin to have difficulties recognizing faces, being able to see well enough to drive and may even completely lose their sight.

People have two types of macular degeneration: wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) and dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD).

Wet AMD

Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels behind the eye where the maculae are located begin to grow. Because these are not the sturdiest of blood vessels, they tend to leak blood and other eye fluids into the maculae. Because there is excess blood and other fluid in this area, the maculae become displaced and damage occurs.

With Wet AMD, vision loss can occur very rapidly, and it can be recognized by how lines appear; lines that are actually straight will appear to be wavy.

Dry AMD

One of the reasons dry AMD is different from Wet AMD it that it causes the person's vision to deteriorate in stages. Dry AMD is a condition of the maculae where they are degenerate and keep the eye from focusing adequately on objects. The first symptom will be that the affected person will see a blurred spot in the central vision. As time goes by, the central vision becomes worse, and a total loss of vision occurs.

A common symptom that people notice when this condition begins is blurred vision, and it is the condition that will keep them from recognizing familiar faces. They may also notice that they will need more light to read and do other things.

Who Is At Higher Risk?

This condition is age-related, but there are other factors that raise a person's risk of contracting this condition. Those at higher risk are smokers, Caucasians, the obese, women and those whose immediate family members have contracted the condition. People with these extra risk factors who are also over the age of 60 are advised to make an appointment with their eye doctors for an AMD examination as soon as possible.