Observed annually on the second Thursday of October, World Sight Day is an initiative to bring attention to vision impairment and blindness globally. The theme for 2021 is #LoveYourEyes and at Lenskart we cannot stress enough how important this is.
This World Sight Day, prioritize vision health and look for measures you can follow to prevent eye problems that could lead to visual impairment. Eye tests help us understand our eyes better, they tell us about our vision health and detect major eye problems.
Each year, Sankara Nethralaya: Rural-Urban Age-related Macular Degeneration (SN-RAM) study indicates that the frequency of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) in India ranges from 39.5% to 0.3%. Currently, over 77 million people in India are over 60 years old, representing a large group susceptible to vision-related disorders. This number is expected to increase to 180 million by 2026 . AMD is one of the most common eye problems that pose a threat to one’s vision especially to the elderly. This is why we’ve taken the initiative of spreading the word and creating awareness. Keep reading to find out more about this eye problem.
What Is Macular Degeneration?
Macular degeneration is a medical condition of the eye which may result in blurred or no vision in the center of your visual field. While it may not cause complete blindness, loss of central vision makes it hard to recognize faces, drive, read or perform basic everyday activities. AMD is pretty common and is a leading cause of vision loss in adults above the age of 50 years.
What are the types of Age-Related Macular Degeneration?
There are mainly two types of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD).
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Dry AMD
Dry AMD or Dry ARMD is a condition where the macula, which is the centermost part of the retina, gets thinner with age and tiny clumps of a protein called drusen are produced. While a few drusen may not cause any change or loss of vision, they might dim or distort vision as they grow bigger, especially when you read. About 80% or 8 out of 10 people who have AMD experience this condition.
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Wet AMD
While wet AMD or Wet ARMD is not that common in comparison to dry AMD, it can be much more serious. It is a condition where abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina. These blood vessels may leak blood or other fluids that could cause scarring of the macula. Loss of vision is quicker with wet AMD than dry AMD.
Stages Of Macular Degeneration
Early
At this stage, there are medium-sized drusen deposits present, no pigment changes, and no loss of vision.
Intermediate
At this stage, there may be large drusen and/or pigment changes along with mild vision loss, but most people do not experience any problems.
Late
At this stage, you may experience dry or wet macular degeneration that causes vision loss.
What Causes Macular Degeneration (AMD)?
There is no evidence that states the precise cause of macular degeneration. However, research indicates that it could be caused due to a family history of AMD and environmental factors, including smoking, obesity, and an unhealthy diet.
Symptoms Of Macular Degeneration
Not many people realize that they have age-related macular degeneration until their vision gets noticeably blurry. This is why it is important to have routine eye check-ups and ophthalmologist visits at least once a year.
Here are some common symptoms of macular degeneration:
- Visual distortions. For example, straight lines appear bent
- Reduced central vision in one or both eyes
- Need for brighter light especially while reading
- Increased difficulty in adapting to low light levels
- Increased haziness of printed words
- Decreased brightness of colors
- Difficulty recognizing faces
Macular Degeneration Treatment
The treatment for AMD depends on the type of AMD you have.
Dry AMD
While there’s no treatment for dry AMD, your ophthalmologist may recommend a diet rich in antioxidants to support the cells of the macula and prevent further progression. But if your AMD is further advanced they may then prescribe vitamin and mineral supplements to increase healthy pigments and support cell structure.
Wet AMD
If you’ve been diagnosed with wet AMD, you may need regular eye injections and a light treatment called photodynamic therapy not daily but occasionally, to prevent your vision from getting worse.
Prevention Tips To Lower The Risk Of AMD
Even if you don’t have a family history of age-related macular degeneration, the chances of you acquiring it are still high. As a form of prevention, choose healthy lifestyle habits. Stop smoking, eat a healthy diet that’s rich in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fats. Your eyes will thank you.
Frequently Asked Questions on AMD
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Who is at risk of age-related macular degeneration?
Even though there isn’t a specific reason that causes AMD, here are some factors that may lead to its development:
- Family history
- Smoking
- Consuming a diet that’s high in saturated fats
- Being overweight
- Hypertension or high blood pressure
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How long does it take to lose vision with macular degeneration?
On average, it takes roughly 10 years to move from analysis to legal blindness. However, there are some forms of macular degeneration that can cause loss of vision in just a matter of days.
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Do you always go blind with macular degeneration?
People rarely lose all of their sight, from age-related macular degeneration. Your eyesight may not be that clear, especially in the center of your field of vision, however, even with advanced AMD you’ll still be able to see things to the side and outside your direct line of vision.
