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Broken Arrow |
Chandler |
Claremore |
Collinsville |
Edmond |
Lawton |
Owasso |
Sand Springs |
Tulsa
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Broken Arrow |
Chandler |
Claremore |
Collinsville |
Edmond |
Lawton |
Owasso |
Sand Springs |
Tulsa
|
|
Primary Eye Care Associates is a promotional cooperative of independent private practice doctors of optometry who are dedicated to providing the highest quality, most professional eye care available. Below is some quick information about your eyes.
Taking a Closer Look at Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in people over 65 in the United States. It is a slow, progressive, and painless condition that affects the macular, the small central part of the retina that allows you to see fine detail clearly. While no one knows for sure how many people are affected by AMD, some sources estimate as many as 13 million people in the U.S. age 40 and older have signs of macular degeneration, and more than 1.2 million have the later, vision-threatening stages of the disease. The exact cause of AMD is not yet known, and currently there is no permanent effective treatment or cure for the condition. As the number of older people in the United States continues to increase, AMD will become an even greater public health problem in America. This is why research to prevent or delay progression of the condition is so vital. Scientific and medical research, especially in the area of nutrition and diet, is yielding new information on the role of certain foods in preventing this debilitating condition. And armed with knowledge about early warning signs of AMD and other ways to protect your eyes, you may be able to keep your vision relatively intact throughout your life. WHAT IS AMD? AMD occurs when the cells in the macula break down, causing loss of sight in the central part of the field of vision, but leaving peripheral vision intact. Most often, AMD is a slow, progressive, painless disease which often affects both eyes, usually one after the other. Once you are diagnosed with AMD, as many as ten years may pass before you have any noticeable loss of vision. Even though breakdown of macular cells may not begin until age 60 or 70, long-term awareness and preventive measures should begin much earlier in life. HOW DOES AMD AFFECT YOUR VISION? As the cells in the macula deteriorate, your ability to see will begin to change. Objects directly in front of you appear to change shape, size, or color, and may seem to move or disappear. Your vision may become blurry, lines may become distorted, or dark spots may appear in the center of your filed of vision. Eventually, AMD results in a circular area of blindness which, at normal reading distance, may block out several words. However, most people with AMD retain a reasonable amount of peripheral vision and can learn to make the most of their remaining vision. AMD is a highly frustrating condition, which greatly affects your day-to-day living by making it difficult to read, write, drive, and recognize faces. You may also develop problems seeing in bright sunlight or glare, and find it harder to adapt from dark to light conditions. WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR AMD? AGE Age is the main risk factor for developing AMD. In the United States it is estimated that about 14% of people aged 55 to 64 have some form of AMD. This rises to nearly 20% of 65 to 75 year-olds, and up to 37% of those over 75. DIET AND NUTRITION The macula's fragile cells are highly susceptible to damage from oxygen-charged molecules called "free radicals". Early research has shown that people with a low dietary intake of "antioxidants", nutrients in food that fight the damaging effects of free radicals in the body, may be at increased risk of developing AMD. Alcohol may also deplete the body of antioxidants. High levels of saturated fats and cholesterol harm blood vessels and are also involved in producing free radical reactions that can damage the macula. SUNLIGHT The cells of the macula are highly sensitive to sunlight. Cell damage from the sun can lead, overtime, to deterioration of the macula. People with light colored eyes may be more prone to damage from sunlight, as are those who have prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light. SMOKING A recent study showed that smoking, which reduces protective antioxidants in the eye, more than doubles the risk of AMD. The study found that AMD is more than twice as common in people who smoke more than one pack of cigarettes a day, compared with people who do not smoke, and the risk remains high even up to 15 years after quitting. HEREDITY Some studies show that AMD may be in part inherited. This means that if you have one or more immediate relatives with AMD, you may be at higher risk to develop the condition. GENDER AND RACE Being a woman over age 75 doubles your chances of developing AMD compared to a man of the same age. Low levels of estrogen in postmenopausal women may also increase risk for the condition. There is some suggestion that postmenopausal estrogen therapy may be protective of AMD, but more research is needed in that area. Whites are much more likely than African Americans to lose vision from AMD. HEART DISEASE If you have high blood pressure or another form of heart disease, you may also have a greater chance of getting AMD because of poor blood circulation to the eyes. WHAT CAN I DO TO PROTECT MY EYES? While you cannot change your age, your sex, or your family tree, there are some lifestyle changes you should adopt to help protect your eyes. Wear sunglasses and contact lenses when exposed to ultraviolet light sources Wear brimmed hats that shade your eyes from direct or reflected sunlight. Eat a diet rich in fruits and leafy green vegetables. Stop smoking, or don't start in the first place. Limit saturated fats and cholesterol in your diet, and keep your blood pressure down. Limit your alcohol intake; six drinks per week for men and three for women. Copyright 1994-1996, American Optometic Association  "We Really Care About Your Family's Eyes!"
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