| If you are 50 years old or older and you are | | | | (Wet macular degeneration occurs only 10% of |
| experiencing any loss of vision, it is highly probable | | | | the time.) Dry macular is generally less severe |
| that you have age-related degeneration, also | | | | than wet macular degeneration and usually results |
| known as ARMD. As you get older and the | | | | in a slow and gradual loss of vision. This type |
| arteries to your retina began to harden, there is | | | | causes the pigment in the retina to decrease and |
| an increase in the likelihood that you have this eye | | | | results in small, yellowish deposits that form within |
| disorder. | | | | the retina layers. |
| Your retinal tissue needs oxygen and nutrients to | | | | Good nutrition seems to be a key factor in the |
| function properly and without these essential | | | | prevention. There have been studies conducted |
| elements, you will experience deterioration of | | | | that indicate that individual eating a diet consisting |
| your central (not peripheral) vision. In severe | | | | of lots of fruits and leafy green vegetables seem |
| cases, your ability to drive will be greatly limited. | | | | to have a lower incidence of the disease. Once |
| Dry macular is one type that can occur in older | | | | the disease progresses, however, there is not |
| individuals. | | | | evidence that a diet of fruits and vegetables |
| There seems to be many things that can cause | | | | prevent further degeneration. |
| this disorder. These include such things as aging, | | | | Don't give up if you have been diagnosed. While |
| nutrition, genetics, history of smoking, and | | | | there is no therapy currently available for the |
| excessive exposure to sunlight. As you age, it is | | | | disorder, there are some ways that your disease |
| important for you to watch for the following | | | | can be managed. Wet macular degeneration is |
| symptoms if you think you might have a form of | | | | more easily treated but dry macular can |
| macular degeneration:o A gradual or sudden loss | | | | sometimes be treated with laser photo |
| of your central visiono Difficulty in seeing detail | | | | coagulation which seals blood vessels in the eye. |
| when reading or performing certain taskso Any | | | | This treatment will not restore any vision you |
| distortion of vision such as straight lines looking | | | | have already lost but may prevent any further |
| wavy | | | | damage to your eye. Also, enhancing your daily |
| There are two types of macular degeneration - | | | | diet with leafy, green vegetables and fruits of any |
| Wet and Dry. Dry macular degeneration is also | | | | kind will likely assist in the management of your |
| known as non-neovascular degeneration and is the | | | | disease. |
| most common type of macular degeneration. | | | | |