| Low vision specialists in Florida are | | | | Avoiding these, and having regular eye |
| ophthalmologists who are trained and specialize in | | | | examinations from your Florida low vision eye |
| the treatment of eye diseases that result in low | | | | doctor could help in avoiding the worst symptoms |
| vision such as cataracts and age-related macular | | | | of macular degernation. |
| degeneration. Treatment varies depending on the | | | | Devices |
| type and nature of the disease; cataracts are | | | | If you are already affected by AMD, avoiding the |
| usually corrected with surgery, but when it comes | | | | risk factors and add salt-water fish and leafy |
| to macular degeneration, devices that aid low | | | | green vegetables to your diet may help keep the |
| vision may be the best option; a Florida low vision | | | | symptoms from progressing further. However, |
| eye doctor can determine which of these may be | | | | there are many macular degeneration devices |
| of the most help to you. | | | | that can also help you to maximize the eyesight |
| AMD | | | | you have remaining. |
| Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is a | | | | Bioptic glasses are one such device. Somewhat |
| progressive condition of the eye in which the | | | | like regular bifocals on steroids, these actually |
| macula, which is the connection of nerve cells in | | | | have miniature telescopes mounted on them or |
| the center of your eye's retina that is important | | | | within then that the wearer can look through in |
| for central vision, begins to deteriorate. Usually, | | | | order to concentrate on activities that require |
| this is of the "dry" variety; the macula simply | | | | acute close central vision. |
| begins to dry up and shrivel. The other kind, less | | | | For those suffering from AMD that work with |
| common but more serious, is called "wet" macular | | | | computers, the Florida low vision eye doctor may |
| degeneration; treatment is usually ineffective as | | | | recommend a special monitor that magnifies |
| this is caused by an abnormal growth of blood | | | | on-screen font sizes, making them easier to read, |
| vessels. | | | | or special software and hardware that allows the |
| Prevention and Treatment | | | | use to speak into a microphone and have the |
| The best macular degeneration treatment is | | | | computer turn the speech into actual text. The |
| prevention. Risk factors include: | | | | important thing is not to despair if you have |
| - tobacco use | | | | developed AMD; a Florida low vision eye doctor is |
| - diet lacking in fruits and vegetables | | | | trained in these issues and will have options for |
| - lack of exercise | | | | you. |
| - obesity | | | | |