February is Age-Related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month. If you have started to notice that your vision is fading with your age, you may be a victim of age-related macular degeneration. Find out more about this disease and what you can do during Age-Related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month to help.
What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?
Age-related macular degeneration or AMD is a chronic eye condition that causes central vision loss. This blurry vision is due to damage to the macula, the central part of the retina. There are two types of AMD, dry and wet. Dry age-related macular degeneration is more common and tends to advance slowly. On the other hand, wet AMD is not as common and usually involves faster vision loss.
Related to its name, the onset of age-related macular degeneration is most common in individuals over the age of sixty. It is also the leading cause of vision loss in the United States.1
How You Can Observe AMD Awareness Month 2022
While the idea of being diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration can be frightening, early diagnosis can help slow down the progression of the disease and decrease vision loss. For this reason, AMD Awareness Month 2022 is a great time to do your part to spread awareness on AMD to those around you.
Some ways you can observe Age-Related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month 2022 include:
- Getting your eyes checked, especially if you are over the age of 60
- Learning about AMD and its symptoms so you are more likely to recognize signs of early onset
- Encouraging your parents, grandparents, or other loved ones who are older to get their eyes checked
- If you are diagnosed with AMD, following your doctor’s care instructions and recommendations
- Sharing your story of AMD online or with others to raise awareness about the condition and encouraging them to get their own eyes checked
- Taking preventative action against AMD such as taking vitamins or supplements recommended by your doctor
At Vision Salon, we understand that eye conditions like AMD can be scary, but we are here to help you and your loved ones. Not only can we diagnose these diseases, but also we can help with eye disease management in Cook County so that you can get the care you need and potentially slow down the progression of the disease.
The first step is an exam to diagnose the problem as early as possible. Call to make your appointment today.
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