| Several of the genes associated with AMD have | | | | AMD is a silent and painless loss of central vision |
| been identified and as a result we may see | | | | due to the degeneration or dying of cells in the |
| genetic screening tests sometime in the future. | | | | retina, called the macula. |
| Consider these numbers: | | | | First, it is important to realize that what is lost is |
| -Approximately one fourth of all late-stage | | | | the central portion of your sight - what you see |
| macular degeneration appears to be related to | | | | right in front of you like the face of a person or |
| genetics. | | | | the words in a book. Peripheral or side vision is still |
| -The lifetime risk of developing late-stage AMD is | | | | there. It is NOT blindness, but rather low vision. |
| 50% for people who have a relative with AMD vs | | | | As the leading cause of vision loss in the aging |
| 12% for people who's relatives do not have AMD | | | | population in the U. S. this central loss of vision |
| (4x the risk). | | | | makes it difficult to read, drive, perform daily |
| If you have first-degree relatives with late-stage | | | | tasks and to recognize faces. Treatment is very |
| AMD you will develop it at an increased rate at a | | | | limited and is aimed at preventing further vision |
| younger age. (Arch Ophthalmol.1998;116:1646-51) | | | | loss, but does not restore lost vision. |