What Most People Don’t Know About Macular Degeneration

Most people don’t know all of the different ways your eyes can run into problems as you age. While a lot of people are familiar with cataracts, for example, many don’t know much about age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, for short. 

Fortunately, our experts do. At Edwin Y. Endo, OD & Associates in Aiea, Hawaii, our team of eye health specialists can regularly check your eyes for this relatively common condition. And spotting it early can make all the difference in protecting your ability to see over the long term.

To underscore the importance of regular AMD screenings, let’s review some things most people don’t know. 

#1: AMD is a common cause of blindness 

Macular degeneration isn’t something to ignore. For people over 55 across the United States, age-related macular degeneration is a leading cause of blindness. 

The macula is the part of the eye that gives you sharp vision when you’re looking straight ahead. When it degenerates, you lose your central vision, making it hard to navigate your day. 

#2: It runs in families

If you have a family history of AMD, it’s extra important for you to get checked regularly for this condition. 

#3: It’s not reversible

Once the macula degenerates, there’s not much you can do to repair it. That means the vision you’ve lost won’t come back. 

Fortunately, that doesn’t mean you have to watch as your ability to see slowly goes away over time. We do offer treatments to slow the progression of AMD, protecting your central vision as you age. 

#4: The early signs are hard to spot

In its early stages, macular degeneration doesn’t come with any symptoms. Even as it worsens, the signs can be easy to miss. You might have a harder time seeing in low lighting, for example, but simply chalk it up to aging. 

As we just mentioned, once you lose vision to macular degeneration, you can’t get it back. That makes spotting this condition early particularly important. And that’s why we can include an examination of your macula in your eye exams. This way, our team can spot — and start treating — problems before they have a chance to rob you of your ability to see. 

#5: Your diet can make a difference

What you eat can do a lot to prevent AMD or slow its progression if you have it. That’s why we offer good health and nutritional counseling here at Edwin Y. Endo, OD & Associates. 

Foods that support your eye health and may help prevent AMD include salmon, egg yolks, and fruits and veggies, such as:

• Berries
• Dark, leafy greens
• Bell peppers
• Broccoli
• Avocados
• Corn 

To learn more about checking for macular degeneration, preventing it, or treating this common and serious eye condition, call our office or book your visit online today.