AMD awareness month - Are You at Risk?
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
JC Jones MA RN
Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of
vision loss in adults over age 65.
Prevent Blindness America observes the month of February as a time to raise awareness about this important health issue, which not too many people know about yet millions are threatened by.
Risk factors for
AMD are:
- Caucasian race
- over age 65
- Smoking
- Eating a low nutrient diet
- Family history of AMD
My grandmother had AMD and she was a really cool, fit, healthy, witty woman well into her 80's. I mean, the woman wore halter tops and shorts and sat cross legged on the living room floor discussing politics with anyone. At 5' and 98 lbs., that's just cute. She was always independent, "
spunky", she called herself, lived in her own house, did her own cooking. But when her vision started fading due to AMD and she could no longer write her own checks, she kind of gave up on life...
Don't let that happen to you or your loved ones. Get annual vision exams. Discuss nutrition strategies with your eye doctor. Lots of green leafy vegetables and antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, beta carotene (vitamin A) and
omega-3 fatty acids may help.
New treatments are now available:
- Lucentis (ranibizumab) was approved in 2006 to treat AMD and is injected into the eye.
- Macugen (pegabtanib) was approved in 2004 to treat wet AMD
- Laser treatments:
Discuss treatment options today with your
ophthalmologist if you have been diagnosed with AMD.
Thank you anentz for use of photo of Blurred Vision.Labels: AMD, anti-oxidants, laser treatment, Lucentis, Macugen
Permalink |
0 Comments|
Email Post 
Post your comment
The Healthline Site, its content, such as text, graphics, images, search
results, HealthMaps, Trust Marks, and other material contained on the
Healthline Site ("Content"), its services, and any information or material
posted on the Healthline Site by third parties are provided for informational
purposes only. None of the foregoing is a substitute for professional medical
advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a
physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may
have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice
or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Healthline
Site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911
immediately. Please read the Terms of Service for more information regarding
use of the Healthline Site.
