Question 1

are there any signs of vision impairment with early age related macular degeneration?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Most people experience distortion in the central vision as an early sign of age-related macular degeneration. There is a self-screening tool called an amsler grid that is often recommended for people with risk factors for the disease. It can help to detect early distortion. Decreased central vision with difficulty to read, recognize faces, watch tv, and drive often happen as the disease progresses.

Question 2

what does  age-related macular degeneration seem like?

Accepted Answer

Painless. vision bad: This is a condition of the central retina of unknown cause, which disturbs the anatomy of the central light receptors - lowering the vision.  There is no pain, just vision loss.  There are several forms and some can be treated for a period of time.   A retinal specialist can best sort this out for you.

Question 3

how long should age-related macular degeneration last?

Accepted Answer

Forever: Once you have it, it does not go away. The rate of progression varies from person to person. Use areds vitmains as dicated by your retina specialist. Use frequent amsler grid testing at home. If you smoke, then quit.

Question 4

what sort of problem is age-related macular degeneration?

Accepted Answer

A retinal loss: Age related macular degeneration is a disorder of the circulation to the central seeing part of the retina at the back of the eye.  It is as if the circulation simply dries up and the light receptors (cones and rods) die.  This produces loss of fine detailed vision.  It's incidence increases with age and is common in those over 70.  See your ophthalmolgist for diagnosis and recommendations., .

Question 5

what are the symptoms of age-related macular degeneration?

Accepted Answer

Decreased vision: Both the wet and dry forms of armd cause decrease in central vision. Distortion is often an early symptom and an amsler grid is a good self screening tool. Vision loss from the dry form is usually slowly progressive and lessor in degree than the wet form which can have very dramatic decrease in vision that is rapid and significant.

Question 6

is there any medication for age related macular degeneration?

Accepted Answer

Vitamins lifestyle: Macular degeneration is thought to occur from aging, exposure to uv radiation, exposure to toxins (smoking) and "pre-programmed" by genetics (family and race).  You can lessen your risk by am early eye exam, don't smoke, shield your exposure from uv and follow your doctor's advice for nutrition and vitamins based on your age and exam.  No prescribed drug yet.

Question 7

what can differentiate dry and wet age related macular degeneration?

Accepted Answer

Eye Exam: Dry and wet AMD are diagnosed by a good Ophthalmic exam.  If you have any vision loss or problems, you should be seen by an ophthalmologist or retinal specialist as soon as possible.  In the dry form there are changes in the back of the eye readily seen and in the wet form you can have sudden loss of vision which is treatable if seen ASAP.

Question 8

which medication should you take for age-related macular degeneration?

Accepted Answer

AREDS Vitamin: The most common form of macular degeneration - the usually milder "dry" form has no effective medication currently. However, a specific formulation of vitamin a, c, e and zinc known as the areds formula has been shown to slow down its progress in certain high risk individuals.  Other nutrients such as lutein are thought to help, but have yet to be proven in a large study.

Question 9

what is the definition or description of: age-related macular degeneration?

Accepted Answer

Aging retina: If you think of your eye as being like a camera, the macula is like the film of the camera. It is the part of the eye that develops the image of whatever you are looking at. In macular degeneration, the retina is wearing down, sort of like camera film that is getting too old. The image become less and less clear as the macula wears down, sort of like a camera that can't take a clear picture.

Question 10

is there a difference between macular degeneration and age-related macular degeneration?

Accepted Answer

Technically yes: In general when people use the term 'macular degeneration' they are referring to the age-related form, but technically there are other types. Age-related macular degeneration is by far the most common, and the other and more rare forms are often hereditary and present much earlier in life.

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Doctor answers about:

Age related macular degeneration signs

A member asked:

Are there any signs of vision impairment with early age related macular degeneration?

A member asked:

What does age-related macular degeneration seem like?

A member asked:

How long should age-related macular degeneration last?

A member asked:

What sort of problem is age-related macular degeneration?

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What are the symptoms of age-related macular degeneration?

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Is there any medication for age related macular degeneration?

A member asked:

What can differentiate dry and wet age related macular degeneration?

A member asked:

Which medication should you take for age-related macular degeneration?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: age-related macular degeneration?

A member asked:

Is there a difference between macular degeneration and age-related macular degeneration?

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