As we age, it is natural for our vision to lose its sharpness. According to NIH Senior Health, AMD or Age-Related Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss for adults 60 and older. It is most prevalent in white women, and it's treatable if caught early.
AMD is a disease that affects the part of the retina known as the macula, which enables you to make out finer details in the objects you see. Although painless, AMD may still be easy to detect. If you are having trouble seeing while engaged in "straight-ahead" activities such as sewing, driving or reading, your central vision may be impaired and AMD could be the cause.
There are two variations of AMD: wet and dry. In the case of wet AMD, abnormal blood vessels have grown under the macula. The macula is then shifted out of place by fluids and blood that have leaked out of the vessels.
Dry AMD happens over time as cells in the macula that are sensitive to light start to break down. This can create a blur in your central vision that worsens gradually.
According to AllAboutVision.com, there is no absolute cure for AMD. However, introducing certain vitamins into your diet such as zeaxanthin, vitamins A, C and E, zinc, and lutein, can keep dry AMD from developing into the wet form. Treatments for wet AMD can include taking prescription drugs such as Lucentis, Visudyne and Macugen in addition to photodynamic therapy.
