As our population continues to grow older, age related macular degeneration disease is becoming a more common and bigger problem many people have to deal with.
Here are some further details on the symptoms and treatments currently being made.
Age related macular degeneration disease is a condition which gradually destroys the sharp central vision of people who suffer from it.
It can have a significant impact on one's ability to perform common tasks like reading or driving.
This disease is a leading cause of vision loss in Americans who are 60 years of age or older.
This disease has a dry form and a wet form.
The dry form is much more common than the wet form.
The dry form has early and intermediate states although the wet form is more serious and therefore occurs as a more advanced stage.
The people at greatest risk for developing this disease are those over 60.
There are other risk factors associated with this disease including smoking, obesity, family history, and gender (women are at greater risk).
A healthy lifestyle which includes eating plenty of leafy green vegetables and fish, not smoking, maintaining normal blood pressure, watching your weight, and exercising all appear to help avoid the onset of this disease.
There are a variety of treatments for this disease although none of them are considered a cure.
Regular screening of symptoms is important to help slow the progression and alert patients to the problem so their doctors can institute treatments to help slow the progression and provide some relief.