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The Signs and Symptoms of AMD

February 14th, 2023

The Signs and Symptoms of AMD

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of severe vision loss in individuals over 50. While people rarely go blind from AMD, this condition impacts the macula, which is the small area at the back of the eye that helps you see fine details up close.
 

If you suffer from AMD, you’ll experience loss of central vision and overall blurriness that can make it difficult to drive and carry out the activities you love. So, if you want to protect your eye health, spend a minute reading about these common signs and symptoms.
 

What Causes AMD?

The main risk factor for AMD is age. It is extremely common in individuals over 50, but there are certain factors that may put you at a higher risk — including genetics and smoking. High blood pressure is also known to increase the risk of getting AMD.
 

It’s worth noting that there are two ends of the AMD spectrum: Wet and dry. Dry AMD is the most common and it’s present in about 80% of people suffering from macular degeneration. The exact cause is unknown, but the result is that cells in the macula grow weak and begin breaking down, leading to vision loss. This usually happens in one eye at a time.
 

The other end of the spectrum, known as wet AMD, is less common but leads to more severe vision loss. Wet AMD is caused when abnormal blood vessels form beneath the retina. These vessels are fragile and eventually burst, leaking blood and fluid that damages the macula.
 

Common Signs of AMD

Unfortunately, the early stages of AMD have few to no symptoms at all, so you may not know that you have it until your vision is already damaged. That’s why comprehensive eye screens are important.
 

As AMD progresses, you’ll begin to notice symptoms like:
 

●     Blurry or fuzzy vision

●     Difficulty recognizing faces

●     Straight lines look wavy

●     A dark or empty area in your vision

●     Loss of central vision
 

More often than not, you won’t begin to detect any of the above symptoms until a condition like AMD has already progressed a good deal. Fortunately, if you attend a comprehensive eye exam, there are signs that will be visible to your eye doctor in the very early stages, even before you notice any of these symptoms.
 

Getting Screened for AMD

One of the things your eye doctor will look for when examining your eyes is the presence of tiny yellow deposits in your retina. During a comprehensive eye exam, they will also dilute your pupils, which allows them to see into your eye, which is the only way to check for early signs of serious degenerative eye diseases like Glaucoma.
 

If you’re over the age of 50 or in a high-risk category, you should ideally get a comprehensive eye exam once every year. If you’re under 50, you should opt to get at least one comprehensive eye screen before you approach seniority. Fortunately, scheduling this exam is as simple as calling Vision Center South.  Same week exams are available by calling 888-660-2738 or request an appointment online at https://www.visioncentersouth.net/request-an-appointment.html

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