{"id":10159,"date":"2021-03-07T11:47:51","date_gmt":"2021-03-07T11:47:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/?page_id=10159"},"modified":"2021-07-26T07:57:51","modified_gmt":"2021-07-26T07:57:51","slug":"macular-degeneration-myths-and-facts","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-conditions\/macular-degeneration-guide\/macular-degeneration-myths-and-facts\/","title":{"rendered":"Macular Degeneration: Myths and Facts"},"content":{"rendered":"

Macular degeneration impacts the lives of nearly 10% of all adults\u2014more than all other eye conditions combined.<\/b><\/h2>\n

Let’s clear up some myths and facts on a serious sight-threatening eye condition, macular degeneration<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Macular degeneration, also known as AMD, is a chronic eye condition most common in people over 60. People with macular degeneration may lose their central vision, but retain their peripheral, or side vision.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a lot of information about AMD out there, but how much of it is true? Considering it\u2019s a leading cause of blindness and vision loss, it\u2019s pretty important to get the facts straight.<\/p>\n

If you think you may have macular degeneration<\/a> visit your eye doctor for an eye exam.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

MYTH 1: Macular degeneration is rare<\/b><\/h2>\n

FACT<\/b><\/h2>\n

AMD is actually the leading cause of vision loss in adults over 50, sufferers can even be as young as 20.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

As many as 9.4% of all adults suffer with AMD, and other macular diseases<\/a>, impacting the lives of over 11 million people in the United States. This number is expected to double to nearly 22 million by 2050.<\/p>\n

There are two types of AMD dry and wet.<\/p>\n

Dry AMD<\/a> is where the cells of the macula, the center of the retina, die, causing blurry central vision. Dry AMD is about 85 to 90% of all cases.<\/p>\n

Wet AMD<\/a> is where fluid from blood vessels leak into the macula and cause blind spots. Wet AMD is around 10 to 15% of cases. It is considered the more advanced form since it can cause severe damage to vision.<\/p>\n

MYTH 2: You can tell if you have AMD<\/b><\/h2>\n

FACT<\/b><\/h2>\n

In its earliest stages macular degeneration<\/a> may be barely noticeable.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Most people won\u2019t have vision loss, which is why regular exams with an eye doctor are important. Sometimes only one eye\u2019s vision is affected while the other eye continues to see normally.<\/p>\n

The most common early symptom of the dry form of AMD is blurred vision. Later symptoms include difficulty reading or recognizing faces.<\/p>\n

Typical early symptoms of wet AMD, include straight lines appearing crooked or wavy, along with loss of central vision making details, such as features on a face, appear blurry or have blind spots while the outside perimeter is seen clearly.<\/p>\n

MYTH 3: There is no way to stop AMD from worsening\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

FACT<\/b><\/h2>\n

While you can\u2019t entirely prevent macular degeneration, the progression of the disease can be reduced with a healthy lifestyle and medical treatment. All of the following can help reduce the progression of AMD.<\/p>\n