As the leading cause of vision loss among Americans aged 50 years or older, age-related macular degeneration — AMD — is something every adult needs to understand. This common eye disease makes it difficult for a person to see what’s directly in front of them. While the damage is irreversible, Dr. L R Gabe urges older patients to closely monitor their sight and seek appropriate vision care when problems arise. To help raise awareness about the issue, this eye doctor of Show Low, AZ, highlights a few important things to know about AMD.

What Vision Care Pros Want You to Know About AMD

Can You Prevent Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

Certain risk factors for macular degeneration cannot be controlled, such as genetics, age, and light eye color. However, other potential causes of AMD — such as smoking, high blood pressure, and obesity — can be avoided with certain lifestyle changes. Quitting smoking, exercising, following a healthy diet, and receiving routine medical care are recommended ways to support healthy eyes.

What Are Common Signs of Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

Since AMD usually progresses slowly, it’s not always easy to detect the disease immediately. In many cases, the best way to detect problems is through routine vision examinations from a trusted eye doctor. When AMD does progress, it can cause various symptoms depending on the type of disease that occurs. Most patients experience a “dry” form of the disease, which causes straight lines to appear wavy, create blind spots, and central vision loss.  A more serious form of the disease, known as “wet” AMD, causes symptoms similar to that of the dry form, but they develop more rapidly.

How Can Age-Related Macular Degeneration Be Treated?

Although there is no cure for AMD, early detection and treatment can help individuals maintain comfortable sight and delay further damage. In addition to lifestyle changes, your vision care specialist may recommend vitamins that strengthen eyes or medications that prevent abnormal blood vessel growth. In some cases, laser surgery can be used to target changes in the retina. If vision loss is present, your eye doctor may also prescribe specialty eyewear to maximize remaining sight.

Given the severity of age-related macular degeneration, leaving your eye health up to chance is not worth the risk. Serving patients of all ages in Show Low, AZ, Dr. L R Gabe makes it easy to find the reliable vision care you need to prevent, detect, and delay AMD. Providing everything from routine eye exams to specialty testing, this provider can comfortably address sight and eye disease concerns. To learn more about Dr. Gabe’s approach to patient-centric care, visit his clinic’s website. To schedule a vision examination, call (928) 537-5565 today.