One of the commonest eye problems associated with advancing age is age-related macular degeneration, AMD. This is a condition characterized by loss of central vision usually in both eyes. What this simply means is that an individual with the condition has trouble seeing things clearly when they focus on them directly. If they intend to have macular degeneration treatment Bethesda patients need to understand a number of things first.
You should suspect AMD when you start experiencing blurred vision that is progressive in severity. You will also notice that reading is becoming difficult due to the impairment of central vision. The colors might not be as vibrant as before and facial recognition of people poses a major challenge. In a few cases, the progression of symptoms is quite rapid. Visit your general practitioner for a comprehensive eye checkup and diagnosis.
In the event that the condition is suspected, you will be referred to an ophthalmologist (eye specialist). The specialist will also conduct their own investigation by taking your clinical history and examining the affected eyes. There are two main types of AMD; the dry type and the wet type. In the dry type, the underlying problem is the accumulation of deposits known as drusen within the macula part of the eye.
The wet or serous type is less common and accounts for about 10% of all the cases of AMD. The underlying problem here is the damage of blood vessels found within the macula. This consequently results in damage of affected cells. This is why it is also termed neovascular AMD. Although less common, this type is more severe and more rapidly progressive.
There are a number of agents that have been the subject of research for some time now. One such agent is what is termed anti-vascular endothelial growth factor which offers hope for the management of wet AMD. The idea is to prevent the growth of new vessels (the main problem in wet AMD). Consequently the progression of visual impairment is slowed down.
Ongoing research activities in this area are promising. One of the treatments that is being experimented is the use of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor in the management of wet AMD. The growth factor helps to prevent the growth of new blood vessels in the macular layer which in turn slows the progression of AMD. Some cases of wet AMD have been managed using laser surgery to destroy new blood vessels.
Risk factors that predispose people to AMD are yet to be clearly understood. As such, put in place preventive measures is not an easy task. However, advancing age appears to play a major role. For people in whom the problem has already been established, some measures have been recommended. Such persons will be advised to stop smoking, eat a well-balanced diet and to minimize their intake of alcohol among others.
AMD is a leading cause of visual impairment among the elderly. It is estimated that 10% of persons aged 60 years and above are affected. In rare circumstances, AMD has been diagnosed in younger patients. When encountered, the condition is usually the result of an underlying disease. The management is the same as that of the adult type.
You should suspect AMD when you start experiencing blurred vision that is progressive in severity. You will also notice that reading is becoming difficult due to the impairment of central vision. The colors might not be as vibrant as before and facial recognition of people poses a major challenge. In a few cases, the progression of symptoms is quite rapid. Visit your general practitioner for a comprehensive eye checkup and diagnosis.
In the event that the condition is suspected, you will be referred to an ophthalmologist (eye specialist). The specialist will also conduct their own investigation by taking your clinical history and examining the affected eyes. There are two main types of AMD; the dry type and the wet type. In the dry type, the underlying problem is the accumulation of deposits known as drusen within the macula part of the eye.
The wet or serous type is less common and accounts for about 10% of all the cases of AMD. The underlying problem here is the damage of blood vessels found within the macula. This consequently results in damage of affected cells. This is why it is also termed neovascular AMD. Although less common, this type is more severe and more rapidly progressive.
There are a number of agents that have been the subject of research for some time now. One such agent is what is termed anti-vascular endothelial growth factor which offers hope for the management of wet AMD. The idea is to prevent the growth of new vessels (the main problem in wet AMD). Consequently the progression of visual impairment is slowed down.
Ongoing research activities in this area are promising. One of the treatments that is being experimented is the use of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor in the management of wet AMD. The growth factor helps to prevent the growth of new blood vessels in the macular layer which in turn slows the progression of AMD. Some cases of wet AMD have been managed using laser surgery to destroy new blood vessels.
Risk factors that predispose people to AMD are yet to be clearly understood. As such, put in place preventive measures is not an easy task. However, advancing age appears to play a major role. For people in whom the problem has already been established, some measures have been recommended. Such persons will be advised to stop smoking, eat a well-balanced diet and to minimize their intake of alcohol among others.
AMD is a leading cause of visual impairment among the elderly. It is estimated that 10% of persons aged 60 years and above are affected. In rare circumstances, AMD has been diagnosed in younger patients. When encountered, the condition is usually the result of an underlying disease. The management is the same as that of the adult type.
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