Don’t lose sight of what’s important – get your eyes examined
As life moves on, it is important to sustain quality of life so that you don’t fall behind. While macular degeneration may not sound like something that every mature Australian may have to deal with, the truth is that this eye disease is the leading cause of blindness and severe vision loss in Australia.
Many of us consider vision loss to be a normal part of the ageing process, however an eye condition known as Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) can cause blindness if left unchecked
This condition causes damage to the macula, a small spot located near the centre of the retina that you are using in order to read this article. It is progressive and painless, leading to blurred sight and even black spots in your central vision.
Approximately one in seven Australians over 50 show symptoms of this disease and the impact on one’s independence and quality of life can have a much wider “ripple effect” on family, friends and carers.
But the good news is, early detection can help save your sight.
The earlier you visit the optometrist for an eye examination, the earlier you can begin treatment to preserve your vision. Preserving your macula vision is imperative to continue doing the things that you love – reading, recognising loved ones, driving, watching television and other activities that require detailed central vision.
There are two forms of late AMD: dry and wet. Dry macular degeneration is caused by the gradual loss of cells in your macula, leading to the gradual loss of central vision.
Whereas dry AMD tends to progress over many years or decades, wet AMD can appear suddenly, such as overnight. Wet macular degeneration is the most severe form of the disease that causes the abnormal growth of blood vessels under the retina, leading to severe vision loss.
You can have early signs of AMD without even knowing – which is why it is vital not to lose sight of what’s important and get yourself an eye examination.
While there is currently no cure for AMD, there are treatments available to stabilise and maintain the best vision for as long as possible.
Don’t assume changes to your vision are simply an everyday part of the ageing process; instead, seek out your local optometrist and learn more about your eye health.
Macular Disease Foundation Australia (MDFA) and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd are working together on the common goal to raise awareness of age-related macular degeneration in the community. See What’s Next is an awareness campaign developed by Novartis. By supporting this campaign MDFA is not endorsing any specific treatment or therapy.
This article is sponsored.