Macular degeneration is a serious eye disorder in which the light-sensitive tissues at the back of the eye deteriorate. This leads to progressive vision loss. In the early stages, patients experience blurriness or blind spots at the center of the visual field, and over time the visual impairment moves outward until it encompasses the entire visual field. Anyone can develop macular degeneration, but certain people are at a higher risk than others. Here's a look at the risk factors for age-related macular degeneration, or AMD. If you fall into one or more of these categories, you should be especially on the lookout for signs of the disease, and should contact your eye doctor if you start experiencing any degree of visual distortion or blurriness.
Family History
If you have a parent or grandparent with macular degeneration, you're at a higher risk of developing it yourself. You're by no means certain to develop the disease, however, so it's important to do what you can to address other risk factors that you do have control over.
Obesity
Being overweight increases your risk of AMD, with obese patients being twice as likely to develop the condition as those with normal AMD. Carrying excess weight in the abdomen particularly increases your risk. What this means is that it's important to do all that you can to keep your weight under control. Studies have shown that exercising at least three times per week can decrease your risk of AMD by 25%. You should also watch your diet, ensuring that your calorie intake does not exceed your calorie expenditure, and focusing on eating more low-calorie fruits, lean meats, and veggies.
Smoking
If you haven't quit smoking in an effort to protect your heart and lungs, perhaps the idea that smoking may cost you your vision will inspire you to quit. Smoking is considered to be the largest modifiable risk factor for AMD. Quitting can be difficult, but your physician may be able to prescribe a medication to help prevent cravings and make it easier to quit.
Sun Exposure
You've probably been told a thousand times to put on sunscreen to protect your skin. But do you protect your eyes from the sun? Wearing sunglasses does not just prevent glare. Sunglasses that block UV rays help prevent eye damage that increases your risk of macular degeneration. Make sure you wear sunglasses that are large enough to shield your eyes from the sides, and keep a pair handy in your car so you always have them when you need them.
Contact a company like Baldwin Optical & Hearing Aid Co. for more information.
Share1 June 2016
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