In general advancing age is associated with a number of eye conditions that frequently result in visual impairment. Age-related macular degeneration or AMD is among the commonest. AMD has been known to result in the loss of central vision in both eyes. This means that the affected individual will have trouble seeing objects when they focus straight at them. If looking for macular degeneration treatment Bethesda residents need to understand a number of things beforehand.
You should suspect AMD when you start experiencing blurred vision that is progressive in severity. You will also notice that reading is becoming difficult due to the impairment of central vision. The colors might not be as vibrant as before and facial recognition of people poses a major challenge. In a few cases, the progression of symptoms is quite rapid. Visit your general practitioner for a comprehensive eye checkup and diagnosis.
If the general practitioner ascertains that you are indeed suffering from AMD, they will refer you to an eye specialist (also known as an ophthalmologist). The specialist will take your clinical history and conduct additional tests on the affected ayes so as to determine the type of AMD you may be suffering from. There are two main types; the dry and the wet type. The former is more common and is caused by accumulation of a deposit known as drusen in the eye.
The wet or serous type is less common and accounts for about 10% of all the cases of AMD. The underlying problem here is the damage of blood vessels found within the macula. This consequently results in damage of affected cells. This is why it is also termed neovascular AMD. Although less common, this type is more severe and more rapidly progressive.
There are a number of agents that have been the subject of research for some time now. One such agent is what is termed anti-vascular endothelial growth factor which offers hope for the management of wet AMD. The idea is to prevent the growth of new vessels (the main problem in wet AMD). Consequently the progression of visual impairment is slowed down.
Ongoing research activities in this area are promising. One of the treatments that is being experimented is the use of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor in the management of wet AMD. The growth factor helps to prevent the growth of new blood vessels in the macular layer which in turn slows the progression of AMD. Some cases of wet AMD have been managed using laser surgery to destroy new blood vessels.
The risk factors for this condition are not well known. What is known is that the risk rises with advancing age. Therefore, putting in place preventive measures may not be that easy. For those that have developed it already, a number of things can be undertaken. Such include cessation of smoking, eating a balanced diet, reduction of alcohol intake and weight control among others.
AMD is a leading cause of visual impairment among the elderly. It is estimated that 10% of persons aged 60 years and above are affected. In rare circumstances, AMD has been diagnosed in younger patients. When encountered, the condition is usually the result of an underlying disease. The management is the same as that of the adult type.
You should suspect AMD when you start experiencing blurred vision that is progressive in severity. You will also notice that reading is becoming difficult due to the impairment of central vision. The colors might not be as vibrant as before and facial recognition of people poses a major challenge. In a few cases, the progression of symptoms is quite rapid. Visit your general practitioner for a comprehensive eye checkup and diagnosis.
If the general practitioner ascertains that you are indeed suffering from AMD, they will refer you to an eye specialist (also known as an ophthalmologist). The specialist will take your clinical history and conduct additional tests on the affected ayes so as to determine the type of AMD you may be suffering from. There are two main types; the dry and the wet type. The former is more common and is caused by accumulation of a deposit known as drusen in the eye.
The wet or serous type is less common and accounts for about 10% of all the cases of AMD. The underlying problem here is the damage of blood vessels found within the macula. This consequently results in damage of affected cells. This is why it is also termed neovascular AMD. Although less common, this type is more severe and more rapidly progressive.
There are a number of agents that have been the subject of research for some time now. One such agent is what is termed anti-vascular endothelial growth factor which offers hope for the management of wet AMD. The idea is to prevent the growth of new vessels (the main problem in wet AMD). Consequently the progression of visual impairment is slowed down.
Ongoing research activities in this area are promising. One of the treatments that is being experimented is the use of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor in the management of wet AMD. The growth factor helps to prevent the growth of new blood vessels in the macular layer which in turn slows the progression of AMD. Some cases of wet AMD have been managed using laser surgery to destroy new blood vessels.
The risk factors for this condition are not well known. What is known is that the risk rises with advancing age. Therefore, putting in place preventive measures may not be that easy. For those that have developed it already, a number of things can be undertaken. Such include cessation of smoking, eating a balanced diet, reduction of alcohol intake and weight control among others.
AMD is a leading cause of visual impairment among the elderly. It is estimated that 10% of persons aged 60 years and above are affected. In rare circumstances, AMD has been diagnosed in younger patients. When encountered, the condition is usually the result of an underlying disease. The management is the same as that of the adult type.
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