February plays host to a couple of awareness concerns. In addition to it being American Heart Month, it is also AMD and Low Vision Awareness Month. In order to celebrate this 28-day observation, it’s important to understand what AMD is and how it contributes to poor vision. It’s also important to learn how to manage it because AMD can lead to permanent loss of vision that cannot be reversed.

For Starters
AMD stands for Age-Related Macular Degeneration, and it’s the leading cause of vision loss, affecting over 10 million Americans. This is more than cataracts and glaucoma combined. It also mainly affects men and women over the age of 60.

When it comes to the anatomy of the eye, the macula is the spot on the back of the retina. Its primary function is to aid with central vision. As a result of its degeneration, blind spots occur in whatever you’re looking at that is straight ahead of you. It’s terribly distracting as it makes reading, driving, and even recognizing faces very difficult.

Unfortunately, the signs and symptoms of AMD are so slight that it may be difficult to realize your vision is becoming more and more blurry. Here are some important things to look out for!

Signs and Symptoms

• Blurred spot in the center of your vision
• Needing more light when reading
• Printed words are hard to read
• Colors seem duller
• Recognizing faces is more difficult
• Your overall vision is hazy

Although you cannot reverse the loss of vision that has already occurred, your eye doctor will be able to detect AMD and can come up with steps in order to prevent further loss of vision and manage this disease. That’s why it’s important to continue to schedule those eye doctor appointments. Just know that an AMD diagnosis does not symbolize the loss of freedom and independence. There are ways to manage this disease. There also factors that you can control in order to prevent it. However, there are also factors you cannot control.

Factors You Can Control

• Smoking – Tobacco restricts blood vessels and can diminish the amount of oxygen that your eyes receive.
• High Blood Pressure – This can damage the blood vessels around your eye
• Sunlight Exposure – Too much exposure to UV light can damage your retinas, which in turn, makes you more susceptible to AMD
• Diet and Exercise – Helps with blood flow throughout your entire body, reducing your chances of getting AMD

Factors You Can’t Control

• Age – As you age your chances of being diagnosed with AMD greatly increase.
• Gender – Women are more likely to be diagnosed with AMD
• Race – Caucasians are more likely to be diagnosed with AMD. This may be due to light eye color.
• Genetics – Those whose family members have been diagnosed with AMD have a greater risk of having the disease themselves.

What’s most important to know about AMD is that millions of people are diagnosed with it and living their lives normally. It does not mean you will go blind. It means you just need to learn how to manage your symptoms. Reading, watching TV, and even activities such as cooking will become a little more difficult. Don’t be discouraged! There are devices and strategies you can utilize in order to live your life the way you want to.