It’s particularly critical to monitor eye health as we age, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one age-related disorder to watch out for.

The most common cause of irreversible vision loss in adults over 60 is macular degeneration. It causes the macula, the core region of the retina, to deteriorate.

Macular degeneration comes in two varieties: wet and dry.

Wet macular degeneration occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina and leak fluid or blood, leading to rapid vision loss. It can come on very suddenly, and is considered a medical emergency. With dry macular degeneration, the cells in the macula gradually break down and create waste products that build up and cause vision loss.

Fortunately, there are ways to prevent, delay or even minimize AMD-related vision loss. Our dedicated Eye Fashion Optical eye care team in Waco can help. Call today to schedule your routine eye exam.

Can You Prevent AMD-Related Vision Loss?

Although macular degeneration cannot be cured, visual loss can frequently be slowed or avoided with early detection and treatment. And that’s when thorough eye exams are useful.

Your eye doctor can identify and cure macular degeneration early on with an eye exam.Your eye doctor will look for symptoms of macular degeneration, like drusen, which are yellow deposits under the retina, aberrant blood vessels, or changes in your central vision.

In order to identify any changes in your central vision, they might also do an Amsler grid test.

It is recommended that adults over the age of 50 get a comprehensive eye exam at least once a year. You should undergo eye exams more frequently if you have a family history of macular degeneration or other risk factors, such as smoking, diabetes, or high blood pressure.

Aside from having regular eye exams, there are other steps you can take to help prevent or slow down macular degeneration. These include not smoking, eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and green leafy vegetables, and wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

Eye Exams and Other Eye Care Services in Waco

Whether you’re in need of a routine comprehensive eye exam or other eye care service, our Eye Fashion Optical team is here for you.

If you experience any changes in your vision or simply need to schedule your annual eye exam, call Eye Fashion Optical in Waco today!