What Is Macular Degeneration and Who Is at Risk for It?

Macular degeneration is an incurable disease that is a leading cause of vision loss among Americans 50 and over. While macular degeneration is primarily an age-related disease, multiple risk factors can lead to its development. Understanding this condition and who is most at risk can help you maintain healthy eyes and vision well into your senior years. Optometric Clinic in Hattiesburg, MS, is here to tell you more about this condition and how to limit your risk of developing it.

What Is Macular Degeneration?

Macular degeneration is an eye disease affecting central vision, meaning people with the condition have trouble seeing straight ahead. They also have difficulty seeing fine details. The disease results from changes in the retina's central portion at the back of the eye, including the macula. Those suffering from the disease generally do not lose their central vision entirely, but it can have a dramatic impact on the quality of their lives.

Macular degeneration has two forms: dry and wet. The dry form affects 80 to 90% of those with the disease and is caused by protein deposits forming under the macula. The wet form results from abnormal blood vessels developing and leaking under the macula. The onset of the wet form is faster and tends to be more severe. Regular eye exams from your optometrist near you are crucial for catching this condition before it leads to significant vision loss.

Macular Degeneration Risk Factors

Macular degeneration is most common among people 50 and older, and most people with the disease have age-related macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is also more common among Caucasians and people with a family history of the disease. Macular degeneration also occurs earlier in women than in men.

While you cannot alter their age, race, or heredity to reduce the risk of macular degeneration, you can take steps to prevent its development. Ways you can limit your chances of developing this condition include:

•             Maintaining a healthy weight

•             Quit smoking

•             Manage high blood pressure

•             Eat a diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids

•             Limit UV light exposure

Schedule an Eye Exam With Your Optometrist Near You at Optometric Clinic

Regular examinations by an optometrist allow the early detection and treatment of vision issues, including macular degeneration. Optometric Clinic in Hattiesburg, MS, can help catch and manage macular degeneration before it leads to significant vision loss, so call us and schedule an eye exam today at (601) 545-2020 to protect your eye and vision health.