In the u s macular degeneration affects nearly 10 million people.
Do you go blind with macular degeneration.
Age related macular degeneration is a disease that affects vision due to damage to the central part of the retina.
Although most cases of wet macular degeneration are due to genetics there are a number of lifestyle and dietary factors that can affect the risk of developing the dry form of the eye disease.
Although amd may occur earlier studies indicate that people over age 60 are at greater risk than those in younger age groups.
Patients with macular degeneration lose their central vision.
The side vision lets you know what is around you.
For instance a large study found that people in middle age have about a 2 percent risk of getting amd but this risk increased to nearly 30 percent in those over age 75 facts about 2009.
Amd affects only the central vision.
When the photoreceptors in the macula degrade patients go blind.
According to chip goehring founder and president of the american macular degeneration foundation he is living proof that by eating right and taking proper preventative measures you can still keep your sight even 20 years after being diagnosed with amd.
No one will ever go completely blind from macular degeneration.
You will never go totally blind from amd.
In general if you do not take any measures of treatment of macular disease it will go blind in two years we should see a doctor as soon as possible.
Fortunately most patients with amd can keep good vision for their entire lives and even those who lose their central vision almost always maintain their side or peripheral vision.
03 13 2013 macular degeneration is a chronic disease it can cause a sharp decline in the central visual acuity and central vision is required for daily activities.
This includes reading facial recognition seeing objects in fine detail and driving.
Age related macular degeneration amd is caused by changes beneath the sensitive tissues that communicate with your optic nerve and allow you to see.
In the dry form of the disease which is the most common form the damage begins with accumulations of yellow deposits below the retina known as drusen.
However although the disease may cause blindness it s not guaranteed.
You will be able to walk around dress yourself and do most daily tasks.
Will i go completely blind from amd.
There are several factors both controllable and uncontrollable that may put you at risk of macular degeneration.
Even in the worst cases macular degeneration only affects the central vision and leaves the peripheral vision intact.
Many patients are frightened of losing vision or going blind when they are told they have age related macular degeneration amd.
The patients lose their ability to take part in activities.
Macular degeneration alone does not cause total blindness.