Those families dealing with senior care and elder care in Greenville need to be aware of an age-related macular degeneration, or AMD. This is a condition of
the eye that occurs most commonly in individuals who are 50 years of age and
older.[1]
The elder care professionals at Always Best Care of Greenville, serving Greenville,
Greer, Simpsonville, Taylors, Fountain Inn, and Mauldin, explain that this is
the most common catalyst of vision impairment in seniors.
AMD essentially causes the deterioration of the macula,
which is the component of the eye that allows individuals to see images
clearly. Located exactly opposite of the lens, right above the optic nerve, the
loss of the macula results in the impairment of the form of vision that is used
most often (namely, central vision).
There are two different types of AMD: dry and wet. Dry is the less
severe, but it impacts approximately 90 percent of individuals who have the
condition. Wet, though experienced by fewer individuals, leads to vision loss
more quickly.
Who Is At Risk?
The older an individual becomes, the higher their risk of
developing AMD gets. While AMD affects a diverse mix of the senior population,
there are some risk factors that can encourage its emergence. For instance,
individuals who smoke are considered to face two times the risk of AMD than
those who do not. Additionally, Caucasians are most likely to be impacted by
the disease—as well as those individuals who have a family history of AMD.
Is There a Cure?
Currently, there is no cure for AMD. There are, however,
treatment options that can alleviate the symptoms of the condition. Seniors who
have wet AMD may undergo injections, phyotodynamic therapy, or laser surgery;
individuals with dry AMD may be given high-dose supplements of antioxidants,
zinc, and other substances by their doctor.
Is Prevention an Option?
While there is no known way to prevent AMD with certainty,
there are certain lifestyle habits that an individual can embrace that can
reduce their risk of developing the condition. First and foremost, quitting
smoking can significantly decrease the odds of developing AMD. Additionally,
getting regular exercise, keeping blood pressure and cholesterol levels within
the normal range, and eating a well-rounded diet that incorporates leafy
vegetables and fish can all contribute to the reduced risk of AMD.
The senior care professionals at Always Best Care ofGreenville know that AMD can be a very scary
condition to elderly individuals who are facing vision impairment. As such,
they recommend talking to your elderly loved one and ensuring that they
understand exactly what is happening if they suffer from this disease.
For a free e-book on senior care issues, please click here to have one sent to you free of charge.
For more information, please contact +Bruce Meyer at (864) 527-0464.
[1] All
information from http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/maculardegen/armd_facts.asp#1
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