| Age related macular degeneration is one of the | | | | referred to as advanced age related macular |
| leading causes of blindness in the elderly population. | | | | disease. |
| This eye disease will gradually destroy the sharp, | | | | Dry age related macular degeneration occurs |
| central vision of the eye. This is the main part of | | | | when light sensitive cells in the macula slowly |
| your vision. Without the central vision, you will no | | | | break down. This cell breakdown will cause central |
| longer be able to read, drive or perform routine | | | | vision to diminish, and will usually occurs in one eye |
| daily tasks. | | | | only. Over time, the other eye may be affected |
| Macular degeneration affects the part of the eye | | | | with dry age related retinal degeneration. |
| called the macula. The macula is located right in | | | | The most common form of age related macular |
| the center of the retina. The retina is the tissue | | | | degeneration is the dry form of degeneration, |
| that lines the back of the eye and it is very light | | | | with over 85% of the affected people. |
| sensitive. The job of the retina is to convert light | | | | There is no guaranteed cure for wet or dry age |
| or images into electrical impulses and send these | | | | related macular degeneration. If you have wet |
| impulses to the brain. | | | | macular disease, laser treatments and injections |
| There are two types of macular degeneration. | | | | can slow down the vision loss, but it does not |
| There is 'wet age' and 'dry age' related macular | | | | mean that the vision loss will not come back. |
| degeneration. The type of degeneration you have | | | | If you have the advanced form of dry age |
| will determine how fast you can lose your | | | | related macular degeneration, there is no |
| eyesight. | | | | treatment. If you are not in the advanced stage, |
| Wet age related macula degeneration happens | | | | your doctor may prescribe specific daily amounts |
| because blood vessels behind the retina will start | | | | of antioxidants. This formulation is not a cure for |
| to form underneath the macula. These blood | | | | dry age related macular degeneration. This specific |
| vessels have a tendency to leak fluid and | | | | formulation of antioxidants will not restore your |
| sometimes blood. | | | | vision but it may slow down the progression of |
| When the vessels behind the macula begin to leak | | | | advanced dry age related retinal degeneration. |
| fluid, this will raise the macula from it's normal | | | | If you notice any changes in your vision, you |
| spot. This will damage the macula quickly and loss | | | | should see your eye care professional right away. |
| of central vision will occur. This type of age | | | | The sooner you get a diagnosis the sooner you |
| related macular degeneration is sometimes | | | | can start treatment. |