Struggling with Hazy Sight?
Macular Degeneration, often related to aging, is an eye condition that impacts the macula, a part of the retina located at the back of your eye. Medically known as AMD, we have treatments today that make it manageable.
### Understanding AMD
AMD is painless and doesn’t cause complete blindness; it only affects central vision. You’ll notice the issue when you look straight at something. This makes tasks like reading, looking at photos, or watching TV hard to do. Your vision might get blurry or distorted, and over time, you might see a blank patch in the center of your sight.
### Causes
While the exact cause of AMD isn’t known, some factors can increase your risk:
– **Age:** Most people with AMD are 65 or older.
– **Gender:** Women, who tend to live longer than men, are more often affected by AMD.
– **Genetics:** Certain gene types can make AMD more common in some families.
– **Smoking:** Smoking increases your risk of developing AMD.
– **Sunlight:** High exposure to sunlight might also raise your risk.
### The Role of Diet
A healthy diet might reduce your chances of getting AMD. Vitamins A, C, E, and Zinc seem to help slow down its progression. While some risk factors can’t be changed, eating well, protecting your eyes from direct sunlight, and not smoking can help prevent AMD from getting worse.
### Symptoms
Symptoms vary, but typically include difficulty seeing fine details and a small blurred area in the center of your vision. Straight lines may appear wavy, and you might become more sensitive to light. Usually, these symptoms appear in just one eye.
### When to See a Doctor
Consult an optician or doctor if you:
– Have trouble reading small print, even with glasses.
– Notice straight lines appear crooked.
– Feel your vision is less clear than before.
Your optician can measure changes in your vision and examine your eyes. If there’s a concern, you might be referred to a hospital for further tests. For example, my optician identified issues with my macula, and I was referred to a specialist in Cornwall for further examination.
