The Facts About Age Related Macular Degeneration

One of the first signs of Age Related Macularsharp. Reading and even driving a car become
Degeneration (ARMD) is distorted vision. Straightvery difficult for a person with ARMD.
lines become wavy and they may have darkerMany people are at risk for developing ARMD.
areas in the middle of them. You may also haveAge is the most common factor that influences
trouble distinguishing between different colors andits likelihood. 30% of people over the age of 75
you might not be able to recover quickly afterwill have the disease in some form. Smokers are
you have been exposed to any kind of bright light.much more prone to the disease than people who
Your vision may not be compromised greatly athave never smoked. People who have quit
first but you may have some blurriness and blindsmoking gradually decrease their chances of
spots in your central vision field.getting ARMD as the number of their
Anyone over the age of 65 is likely to havenon-smoking years increases. Genetics, too, play a
ARMD because it is the leading cause of lostrole in the likelihood of getting ARMD. People with
vision in elderly people. This group of peopleclose relatives who have the disease have a
(known as the Baby Boomers) is starting tostrong chance of getting it. Studies indicate that
make up a large part of America's population sopeople who have the gene factor H (CFH) will
the disease is becoming a major health issue. Thevery likely develop signs of ARMD. Other
disease starts out when the macula (at thecontributors to ARMD are: having high blood
center of the retina) starts to deteriorate. Thispressure, being overweight, being a member of
deterioration can begin as early as age 50 with nothe Caucasian race, being a woman, having high
noticeable signs. When the retina is comprised incholesterol and being farsighted.
any way, central vision is no longer clear and