| Do you smoke? Are you suffering from | | | | to see fine details. When the macula is damaged, |
| hypertension? Are you always exposed to | | | | there is loss of central vision, leaving only |
| sunlight? If you answered "yes" to the above | | | | peripheral or side vision intact. |
| questions and are over 50 years old, you're at | | | | Of the two types of AMD, the most disabling is |
| risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), | | | | the wet form. Although it affects only 10 percent |
| a disease that affects 30 million people worldwide. | | | | of patients, it causes severe vision loss. This is |
| The AMD Alliance International, a non-profit alliance | | | | due to the growth of abnormal, leaky blood |
| of international vision and seniors organization, said | | | | vessels that block vision. |
| the disease is the leading cause of blindness in | | | | While there is no way to restore vision, further |
| people over 50. Its cause remains a mystery but | | | | vision loss can be prevented with the help of a |
| you're likely to get it if you smoke, have high | | | | drug that is injected into a person's bloodstream. |
| blood pressure or coronary artery disease, are | | | | The drug is activated by photodynamic (PDT) or |
| farsighted, and if your diet is low in vitamins, | | | | laser therapy. This produces a clot that closes |
| minerals and antioxidants. | | | | abnormal blood vessels without damaging other |
| The disease affects the macula of the eye. The | | | | parts of the eye. The drug reduces the risk of |
| macula is a light-sensitive tissue at the center of | | | | vision loss and has very little side effects. |
| the retina. It provides central vision and allows us | | | | |