Macular Degeneration

We take many things for granted and one of the most important is our vision, especially as we get older. Sight, amongst other things, enhances our ability to paint, read, post an article on our blogs, take in the faces of our loved ones and to see the glorious sights that lay before us.

It’s not until we become a statistic in our 50’s and beyond, if not earlier, that we look back to see if we could have done anything different to save our sight.

The leading cause of profound vision loss in Australia, macular degeneration (MD), sometimes referred to as age related macular degeneration (AMD) affects one in seven people over the age of 50. Globally, AMD ranks third as a cause of visual impairment.

Simply put, macular degeneration is a progressive incurable disease of the retina, particularly the macula, which destroys sharp, central vision. The macula is part of the eye that allows you to see fine detail and it is located in the center of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.

There are two types of AMD. Dry AMD results in gradual loss of central vision, with Wet AMD , also known as advanced AMD, being characterised by a sudden loss of vision. For many, it is possible to have AMD without knowing.

Although there is no cure, there are treatments available for the two forms of AMD (dry and wet) that can slow down its progression. The earlier it is detected, the more vision you and I are likely to hold onto.

However all is not lost as according to “Macular Degeneration Support”:

“You will not go blind from AMD, but you can, over a period of several years, lose your central detail vision, making it difficult or impossible to read, recognize faces, write checks, and drive. If this happens, technology and rehabilitation offer ways to either maximize your vision or replace it in non-visual ways.”

Personal stories from Australians living well with AMD can also be found at the Macular Degeneration Foundation. Well worth a read!

Now, in my endeavour to determine if I am suffering from the signs of AMD, besides visiting my eye specialist, I came across the Amsler Grid that I have used to access my macula.

The Amsler Grid should be used two to three times a week at home to check for changes in your vision. That’s not to say that regular visits to your eye doctor should be missed as you can easily miss signs that only a trained eye specialist will find.

Please follow the directions that are below this grid.

1. Do not remove glasses or contact lenses you normally wear for reading.
2. View the grid approximately 35cm (14 inches) from your face in a well-lit room.
3. Cover one eye with your hand.
4. Focus on the center dot with your uncovered eye.
5. Repeat with the other eye.

If you see wavy, broken or distorted lines, or blurred or missing areas of vision, you may be displaying symptoms of AMD and should contact your eye specialist immediately.

Note: Do NOT depend on the grid displayed for any diagnoses as only a eye specialist can confirm the diagnosis of AMD.

Tips for healthy eyes to help reduce the risk of AMD or to slow down its progression:

1. Have your eyes tested and make sure the macula is checked.
2. Don't smoke.
3. Keep a healthy lifestyle, control your weight and exercise regularly.
4. Eat a healthy well-balanced diet.
5. Limit your intake of fats.
6. Eat fish two to three times a week.
7. Eat dark green leafy vegetables and fresh fruit daily.
8. Eat a handful of nuts each week.
9. Provide adequate protection for your eyes from sunlight exposure.

Remember to consult your doctor before making any changes in diet or lifestyle.

The large majority of the information you see here has been gathered from sites whose sole purpose is to educate people like you and me about Macular Degeneration. For that, I thank them very much as up until this time, I knew little about Macular Degeneration. Finally, I implore you to visit their sites by clicking on the words underlined as well as on the images.

To be continued...