Your eye doctor in Laguna Hills urges, “Know the warning signs of macular degeneration!”

The natural process of aging affects our bodies in many ways, and vision changes are among them. It’s common to need reading glasses or a prescription change as we reach middle age and beyond. However, it is very important to pay attention to other changes in your visual acuity, especially after age 60.

Millions of Americans aged 60 and older lose their vision because of age-related macular degeneration, or AMD. It is the primary cause of blindness for that age group, and your risk increases every year. Early detection and specialized treatment is critical to arrest the progress of AMD.

AMD is a chronic disorder that leads to loss of central vision. The macula is the center part of the retina, which allows you to see color and to read. Cellular debris may collect between the retina and the choroid layer (which supplies blood to the eye). This will result in the dry form of AMD. An even more severe wet form of AMD occurs when blood vessels in the choroid grow up behind the retina.

It is essential to seek the assistance of an eye doctor in Laguna Hills if you experience any of these symptoms – they are NOT normal vision changes associated with aging:

• Blurred vision.
• Curvy lines in your field of vision.
• Lines, faces, or doorways appear wavy.
• A blind spot.
• Objects look smaller or farther away than they are.
• Colors appear different than they used to.
• Difficulty discerning light colors from dark ones.
• Slow visual recovery after exposure to bright light.

The precise cause of AMD is unknown, but factors such as smoking, sun exposure, obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol increase your risk. Poor nutrition with inadequate zinc and vitamins plays a role, as does heredity, gender (women are more susceptible), and ethnicity (AMD is more common among Caucasians).

Dr. George Salib and his team at the Orange County Eye Institute have the experience and advanced equipment to recognize this serious disease. Treatment may involve medications, photodynamic therapy, and adaptive devices to optimize your vision.

Dr. Salib urges you to learn the warning signs and risk factors associated with AMD, and to call the Orange County Eye Institute for an examination. Early diagnosis and an effective management plan can help you enjoy clear vision for years to come.

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