When it comes to eye health, we’ve all been told not to read in the dark and to eat plenty of carrots, but there is a serious lack of public awareness when it comes to the actual conditions that cause us to lose our eyesight and go blind. Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the United States, it has affected millions of people, and—due to recent developments in ocular medicine—it is preventable. Here at Howerton Eye, our mission is to help our patients improve their eye health and keep their vision as long as possible, so we have decided to celebrate Age-Related Macular Degeneration month this February, in order to raise awareness surrounding this extremely common but little talked about condition.

What Is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

Macular Degeneration is a condition that causes blurring in the eye’s central vision, often making it difficult for the affected to drive, see faces, or do detailed work with their hands such as cooking or household repairs. AMD is age-related because it often affects those older than 50 years of age, and progresses as you get older. Macular degeneration progresses at different rates, varying from a slow progression over the course of many years, to a more acute onset of the disease. In order to spot age-related macular degeneration, one should keep an eye out for these symptom:

  • Blurriness or blank spots in the center of your vision
  • Your vision becoming less bright than before
  • Straight lines appearing wavy or curved

Preventing AMD

If you experience any of the above symptoms you should contact your local eye doctor immediately, but even without these symptoms, age-related macular degeneration can have negative effects on your eye health. Luckily, we are now able to conduct tests to discover AMD early on and, due to recent advancement in treatment, we are able to act on early signs to help prevent the development of the disease. Over the course of the last 10 years, science has allowed us to be much more effective in treating age-related macular degeneration, helping our patients to retain their eye health. Whether you have symptoms or not, the best thing you can do to prevent AMD is to visit your local opthamologist, Howerton Eye, in Austin, TX. Our screenings are easy, painless, and at a price you can afford, so don’t delay and contact Howerton Eye today to schedule an appointment!