What Seniors Need to Know About Dry Macular Degeneration
Many of us have heard of macular degeneration and are aware that it is an eye condition that we need to do our best to avoid. Beyond that, if you are like a good number of people in the United States, you may not know much else about macular degeneration. Indeed, you may not realize that there are two broad types of macular degeneration:
- Dry macular degeneration
- Wet macular degeneration
In this article, we provide you with a detailed overview of what you need to know about dry macular degeneration, the most common form of this eye condition.
Definition of Dry Macular Degeneration
Among women and men over the age of 50, dry macular degeneration is a commonplace eye disorder, according to the Mayo Clinic. Dry macular degeneration is an age-related eye disorder. Dry macular degeneration occurs as the result of a thinning of a part of the eye called the macula. The macula is the part of the retina responsible for clear vision in a person’s direct line of sight.
Dry macular degeneration results in blurred or reduced central vision. In other words, dry macular degeneration affects what is in an individual’s direct line of sight. Dry macular degeneration typically does not impact a person’s peripheral vision.
In some people, dry macular degeneration impacts only one eye. When that occurs, a person may not even notice any real change in vision. The unaffected eye compensates for the one with issues arising from dry macular degeneration.
Over time, dry macular degeneration can worsen. In the worst-case scenario, dry macular degeneration can result in a person being unable to read, drive, or even recognize faces. Sometimes, a person only experiences mild central vision loss, even if the condition occurs in both eyes.
Symptoms of Dry Macular Degeneration
There are several commonplace symptoms associated with dry macular degeneration, according to the Mayo Clinic. These include:
- Visual distortions that include straight lines appearing to be 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
- Decreased intensity or brightness of colors
- Difficulty recognizing faces
- A well-defined blurry spot or a blind spot in your field of central vision
Risk Factors of Dry Macular Degeneration
According to ophthalmologists, there are six commonplace factors that increase the risk of macular degeneration:
- Age. Dry macular degeneration is most common in people over 60.
- Genetics. Macular degeneration has a genetic component. Researchers have identified several genes that are related to developing this eye condition.
- Race. Macular degeneration is more common in Caucasians.
- Smoking. Smoking cigarettes or being regularly exposed to smoke increases the risk of macular degeneration.
- Obesity. Research indicates that being obese may increase your chance that early or intermediate macular degeneration will progress to the more severe form of the disease.
- Cardiovascular disease. If a person has had diseases that affected the heart and blood vessels, that individual may be at higher risk of macular degeneration.
Prevention of and Risk Reduction for Dry Macular Degeneration
The Mayo Clinic recommends five key strategies to prevent or at least reduce the risk of the development of dry macular degeneration. These are:
- Manage other medical conditions. For example, take prescribed medication if you have cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure. Follow a doctor’s instructions for controlling a particular medical condition.
- Don’t smoke. Research demonstrates that smokers are more likely to develop macular degeneration than nonsmokers.
- Maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly. Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly are key elements of wellness, including preventing or reducing the risk of dry macular degeneration.
- Follow a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Follow a healthy diet that’s full of a variety of fresh fruits and fresh vegetables. These foods contain antioxidants that reduce the risk of developing macular degeneration.
- Include fish in a diet. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish, appear to reduce the risk of macular degeneration. Nuts, such as walnuts, also contain omega-3 fatty acids.
Dry Macular Degeneration Leads to Wet Macular Degeneration
Dry macular degeneration is the most common form of macular degeneration. In some cases, dry macular degeneration can lead to wet macular degeneration. Wet macular degeneration always begins as dry macular degeneration.
As with dry macular degeneration, wet macular degeneration is a chronic eye disorder that causes blurred vision or a blind spot in your direct line of vision. Wet macular degeneration is caused by abnormal blood vessels that leak blood fluid into the macula in the eye’s retina.
Wet macular degeneration typically occurs suddenly and worsens rapidly. Symptoms of wet macular degeneration are:
- Visual distortions, including straight lines appearing to be 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
- Decreased intensity or brightness of colors
- Difficulty recognizing faces
- A well-defined blurry spot or a blind spot in your field of vision
A person may not have experienced any real symptoms of dry macular degeneration. If these symptoms come on suddenly, that individual would have had preexisting dry macular degeneration, at least in one eye. The risk factors for wet macular degeneration are the same as those associated with dry macular degeneration.
Regular Eye Exams
If you are over the age of 50, you are wise to have an annual eye examination to ensure your eyes are healthy. Early detection is the best way to prevent a worsening of macular degeneration and other eye conditions and diseases. This particularly is true if you have a medical condition like high blood pressure or diabetes. Your eye doctor may have some meaningful recommendations about steps you can take to reduce further the risk of macular degeneration beyond the wellness tips mentioned in this article.