You may have never heard of macular degeneration, but it is actually the leading cause of vision loss. Macular degeneration is a disease that causes you to lose sight.

This happens when the central part of your retina deteriorates. This central part of the retina is the macula. The macula controls the central part of our vision. This is crucial to performing everyday tasks such as driving and reading. Keep reading to learn if you could be at risk of developing macular degeneration!

More About Macular Degeneration

There are several different categories of macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is categorized as either wet or dry. Dry macular degeneration is also known as atrophic degeneration. Dry macular degeneration accounts for up to 90% of macular degeneration cases.

It is also less severe. Besides being more common, it also progresses much slower. This type of macular degeneration occurs when drusen forms underneath the macula. Drusen are small yellow deposits. When this happens, the macula begins to become thinner and starts drying out.    

Wet macular degeneration, or exudative macular degeneration, is much less common. It is much more dangerous and fast acting. In wet macular degeneration, tiny irregular blood vessels grown under the macula.

These blood vessels are like drusen. Instead of drying out, the blood vessels leak and bleed, lifting the macula up. Wet macular degeneration accounts for up to 15% of macular degeneration cases.

Macular degeneration is also categorized by stages of the condition. Early onset macular degeneration  is very difficult to detect without a professional. This is because it usually shows no symptoms.

Intermediate macular degeneration vision loss is still slow and not noticeable. When macular degeneration has matured to the late stage, vision loss becomes noticeable.

There is no cure known for macular degeneration, but there are ways to slow its progress or to help prevent it. Macular degeneration must be professionally diagnosed. This makes frequent eye exams more important! Set up your first with Vision Care of Maine in Bangor, ME!

Risk Factors For Macular Degeneration

If you have any of these symptoms, you could be at risk of developing macular degeneration:

• Over 55 years old. As you age your risk of developing macular degeneration increases. This is referred to as AMD, or age-related macular degeneration.
• Family history. Macular degeneration is very much associated with genetics.
• Caucasian. Studies show that macular degeneration is significantly more prevalent if you are Caucasian.
• Smoker. Smoking doubles your chance of developing macular degeneration.

If you are at risk of developing macular degeneration, you can make lifestyle changes. These include eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and protecting your eyes.

There is no way to guarantee that you will not develop macular degeneration. Making the above lifestyle changes can help slow down the development. You need to schedule an appointment to have your eyes checked!

Ready to start your eye care journey? Schedule an appointment with the vision experts at Vision Care of Maine in Bangor today! If you’ve noticed vision loss, it’s important to get examined for macular degeneration.