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Nowadays the most common
cause of severe vision loss among people over 65 is age-related macular
degeneration (formerly known as senile macular degeneration). For people
52 to 64 years of age, this eye disease affects one in 50. For people
aged 65 to 74, the prevalence increase to one in ten. and for those
between 75 and 85, one in three has the disease.
Macular degeneration
affects the macula, the tiny central area of the retina. The
macula provides central vision, which is essential for seeing fine
detail, looking straight at an object, reading and driving. Age-related
macular degeneration is a leading cause of legal blindness, one of the
criteria being central vision of 20/200 or worse in the better eye with
corrective eyeglasses.
People with macular
degeneration are frequently aware of a problem early in the course of
the disease. They may complain that their vision has become blurry or
distorted or that their reading ability has decreased and words seem to
crowd together. Drs. Larry and Michael Morrison can conduct a simple,
painless screening to confirm the presence of macular degeneration using
their ultramodern digital retinal camera, the first of its kind among
local optometrists.
Since so little is known
about the direct cause of macular degeneration, effective treatment
isn't always possible. Lasers can sometimes be used to seal damaged
blood vessels in the early stages of what is called "wet-type" macular
degeneration. Other therapies, including drugs, are constantly being
explored for every form of macular degeneration. Although macular
degeneration cannot be reversed, people with the condition can usually
continue their daily activities using their peripheral vision and making
the most of their remaining detail vision. Devices like high-intensity
reading lamps and magnifiers help compensate for the loss of detail and
make some fine work possible again.
For more information on macular
degeneration or to schedule an appointment, call the Morrison Eye Care office nearest you. |
