Macular degeneration is very common and affects an estimated 19.8 million people in the United States.
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What Is Macular Degeneration?
Age-related macular degeneration is aneye diseasecaused by a problem with the retina.
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It happens when themacula, a small area in the center of the retina, becomes damaged.
The condition may occur in one or both eyes.
In women, age is the key risk factor for developing AMD.
However, treatment can slow the progression of the disease.
How many years does it take to go blind from macular degeneration?
AMD doesn’t usually lead to complete blindness.
Prognosis
A macular degeneration diagnosis doesn’t mean a person will lose their vision.
Your ophthalmologist can help determine your risk of vision loss.
Your ophthalmologist may also recommend you see avision rehabilitation specialist.
A complete eye examination can screen for AMD and other eye conditions.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is macular degeneration?
National Eye Institute.Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).
2011;152(2):273-282.e3.
doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2011.02.004 (Although from 2011, this is the best study for racial stats).
National Eye Institute.Age-Related Macular Degeneration.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Eye health information for adults over 65.
National Eye Institute.AREDS/AREDS2 Clinical Trials.
Macular Disease Society.Stem Cell Therapy.
National Library of Medicine National Center for Biotechnology Information.Overview: Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What to Know After a Macular Degeneration Diagnosis.
