Tips to Manage Age-related Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition threatening one’s eyesight and general health. In AMD, the macula, the part of the eye that helps produce the most detailed and sharpest vision, starts to break down and thin, resulting in vision loss. It is one of the most prevalent causes of blindness in people aged 60 or older. Though there is no definite cure for AMD, some things can postpone its onset or lower its severity.
Being aware of family history
Family history and genetics are one of the leading causes of AMD. So, if you have a first-degree relative with AMD, your chances of developing it are also higher. Hence, you must be vigilant and educate yourself on the potential AMD signs, such as the inability to adapt to low light conditions, difficulty identifying faces, and straight lines looking wavy. Knowledge of these symptoms can help you reach out to an ophthalmologist and get timely treatment while AMD is still in an early stage.
Getting routine comprehensive medical checkups
In the early stages of AMD, you might not experience any symptoms. Hence, routine comprehensive eye exams with an ophthalmologist can help with timely diagnosis and treatment. It holds even for adults 40 or older with no risk factors or signs because this is when you may develop early AMD symptoms or experience changes in vision. After 65, consider increasing the frequency of eye examinations and get one every one to two years, even if you do not have any suggestive symptoms.
Taking supplements
A study found that supplementation with some micronutrients can lower AMD aggravation from the intermediate to the advanced stage by approximately 25%. In the market, one can find several vitamins sold over the counter claiming to help with AMD or eye-related diseases. If your eye doctor finds yellow spots on the retina in the eye dilation examination, they may prescribe them.