Macular degeneration is an eye disease that causes vision loss.
Macular degeneration causes loss in the center of the field of vision.
In dry macular degeneration, the center of the retina deteriorates.
With wet macular degeneration, leaky blood vessels grow under the retina.
Blurred vision is a key symptom of macular degeneration.
A special combination of vitamins and minerals (AREDS formula) may reduce disease progression.
Surgery may also be an option for treating macular degeneration.
How Long Does it Take to Lose Vision with Macular Degeneration?
In late stages of AMD, you may have difficulty seeing clearly.
On average, it takes about 10 years to move from diagnosis to legal blindness, but there are some forms of macular degeneration that can cause sight loss in just days.
Wet macular degeneration is a chronic eye disorder that causes blurred vision or a blind spot in your visual field.
It's generally caused by abnormal blood vessels that leak fluid or blood into the macula (MAK-u-luh).
The macula is in the part of the retina responsible for central vision.
Currently, the most common and effective clinical treatment for wet Age-related Macular Degeneration is anti-VEGF therapy – which is periodic intravitreal (into the eye) injection of a chemical called an “anti-VEGF.”
Common signs and symptoms of macular degeneration include.
Visual distortions, such as straight lines seeming bent.
Reduced central vision in one or both eyes.
The need for brighter light when reading or doing close-up work.
Increased difficulty adapting to low light levels, such as when entering a dimly lit restaurant.
Increased blurriness of printed words.
Age-related macular degeneration usually begins at age 55 or older.
There is a very low risk of progression from the early stage to the late stage of AMD (which involves vision loss) within five years after diagnosis.
When you do start experiencing vision loss from age-related macular degeneration, symptoms can include: Blurred or “fuzzy” vision.
Straight lines, such as sentences on a page, appearing wavy or distorted.
Blurry areas on a printed page.
Foods you should avoid when you have macular degeneration include.
Processed foods that contain trans fats.
Tropical oils, like palm oil (use vitamin E–rich safflower and corn oil instead)
Lard and vegetable shortening, and margarine.
High-fat dairy foods (eggs in moderation are a good source of eye-healthy nutrients)
Fatty beef, pork and lamb.