With February being Age-Related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month, we thought it fitting to talk about this common eye disease in this month’s blog. About 20 million Americans over the age of 40 have been diagnosed with some form of macular degeneration, with 1.49 million Americans living with a late-stage vision-threatening form of this disease, according to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation.

Furthermore, one in three people will develop some form of age-related macular degeneration by the age of 75, and one in four of those will develop a vision-threatening, late-stage form of AMD. Staying on top of regular eye exams in Austin TX is the best way to monitor and treat symptoms of age-related macular degeneration.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Defined

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a top cause of irreversible vision loss in adults over the age of 60, the risk of which increases with age. There’s not a lot known about this incurable eye disease, but it is thought that there are many genetic and environmental factors that can contribute to its development, as well as the body’s malfunctioning mechanisms that can result in the deterioration of the macula.

The macula is the central portion of the retina, which is a thin layer of tissue lining the inside back layer of your eye, responsible for transforming light from images into nerve impulses. Those images are then sent from the optic nerve to the brain, where vision happens.

The macula is the part of the eye that controls straight-ahead, sharp, central vision. It captures detailed information from the center of the visual field, allowing us to read, drive a car, perceive color and contrast, recognize faces, and detect fine details.

In a nutshell, AMD is an eye disease that can blur the central vision.

Symptoms of AMD

Symptoms usually develop slowly and often times, many people don’t immediately notice any differences. But as the condition progresses, its impact on vision gets more apparent. Here’s a look at some symptoms to be aware of.

  • Blurred or Distorted Central Vision: Fuzzy vision in the center of the visual field is one of the earliest symptoms. Straight lines may appear distorted or wavy, which makes reading, driving, recognizing faces, and other tasks difficult.
  • Reduced Color Perception: Colors may appear less vivid, with diminished contrast sensitivity. This makes it harder to distinguish between different shades, especially in low-light conditions.
  • Difficulty Seeing in Low Light: You may have trouble seeing in dim lighting, such as when reading at night or navigating poorly-lit spaces.
  • Dark or Empty Spots in Central Vision: As AMD progresses, you may start to notice dark or blank spots in your central vision that worsen over time. These spots are often the result of the death of photoreceptor cells within the macula.
  • Visual Disturbances: In the more advanced “wet” form of AMD, you may experience sudden visual distortions, such as a sudden increase in the number or size of wavy lines, or a dark or blurry patch in the center of your vision.

Early detection is imperative in diagnosing and treating AMD. The best way to achieve that is by keeping up with regular eye exams in Austin TX, which will help slow the progression and lower the risk of severe vision loss.

Schedule an Appointment With Broberg Eye Care

If you suspect you have symptoms of age-related macular degeneration, don’t hesitate to book a consultation with us online. Or you can call our office at (512) 447-6096. If we are already following you for this disease, you can rest assured you’re in good hands!