How Much Do You Know About Age-Related Macular Degeneration?
Millions of Americans are affected by age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a disease that damages the eye's central vision. To learn more about macular degeneration, take this quiz, based on information from the National Eye Institute.
1. People who have the greatest risk for developing AMD are 60 or older.
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The risk increases with age, but AMD can occur during middle age.
2. AMD develops as one of two forms, wet or dry.
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Dry AMD is the most common form. This form advances so slowly that a person may not notice any vision problems for years. The wet form of AMD initially causes straight lines to appear wavy. This is because blood vessels leak blood beneath the macula, distorting vision. Wet AMD affects vision more quickly and dramatically than the dry form, but both forms of AMD eventually result in loss of central vision. Central vision, or straight-ahead vision, allows a person to read, drive, or perform activities that require sharp vision.
3. AMD leads to total blindness.
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AMD can cause a loss of central vision. This makes a person's vision become fuzzier and eventually makes it impossible to read, drive, or do close-up work. Most people with AMD retain their peripheral vision.
4. Smokers are more likely to develop AMD than nonsmokers.
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Family history of AMD is a prime risk factor. Other risk factors include gender (women are more likely to develop AMD than men) and race (whites are more likely to develop AMD than African-Americans).
5. A blurred spot in the middle of your vision is one symptom of AMD.
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Other symptoms include slightly blurred vision overall, needing extra light for reading, and difficulty recognizing a face until you are very near the person. For a person with the wet form of AMD, straight lines appear wavy.
6. One way to help prevent AMD is to eat plenty of green leafy vegetables.
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Although the cause of AMD isn't yet known, genes and environmental factors may both play a role. Researchers say that one way to help prevent macular degeneration is to eat a low-fat, healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, particularly green leafy vegetables such as spinach. Other good health habits include not smoking, wearing sunglasses with UV protection, and getting regular eye exams.
7. AMD is difficult to diagnose.
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An eye doctor can diagnose AMD with several tests. The doctor will check your vision and also dilate your eyes to examine your retina directly by using a slit lamp and special lenses. If wet AMD is suspected, your doctor may order a test called fluorescein angiography, which helps determine if leaking blood vessels in the macula can be treated. There is no cure for AMD, and currently no treatment for dry AMD. High-dose antioxidants appear to minimize the progression in people with high-risk dry AMD. Wet AMD can be treated with laser therapy or medication. Newer drugs, such as pegaptanib and ranizumab, slow or block the growth of new blood vessels in wet AMD, thus preserving sight. Both are injected into the eye every few weeks to few months.
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