People often take their ability to see for granted. Vision allows a person to appreciate surroundings, makes it easier to perform tasks, and in general, do more, even the dangerous.
However, like every other part of the body, the eyes are at risk of impairment resulting in loss of vision.
Ageing comes with bodily dysfunctions. Arthritis, hypertension, and memory loss are all examples. So, too, is age-related macular degeneration (AMD) which leads to gradual central vision loss. It might be painless, but it is still debilitating.
AMD develops when the macula – the region responsible for central vision – deteriorates. It causes blind spots in the central vision; it does not, however, affect peripheral vision. Therefore, contrary to popular …show more content…
They also see colors less vividly. Usually, sight loss occurs gradually though there have been cases of it happening suddenly.
There are two types of macular degeneration: dry (non-neovascular) and wet (neovascular). Dry AMD is the early stages of the disease. It usually occurs when the macula has aged and thinned excessively or when pigments are deposited in the macula. Compared to wet AMD, dry AMD is much more gradual and less severe.
As tissues in and around the macula age, they leave behind debris. When it accumulates, it forms yellowish spots known as drusen. Drusen, in turn, is the primary marker for dry AMD.
Often in response to dry AMD, the body tries to resupply the eye with nutrients and oxygen. It does this through a process called choroidal neovascularization which is the abnormal growth of blood vessels in the retina. Eventually these leak blood or fluid, which, in turn, causes permanent damage to light-sensitive cells.
This condition is known as wet AMD, which appears in 10 percent of cases and is characterized by severe central vision loss.
There are two classifications of wet AMD. The occult is when blood vessels growth and leakage is minimal; and classic, where blood vessel growth and scarring is more
However, like every other part of the body, the eyes are at risk of impairment resulting in loss of vision.
Ageing comes with bodily dysfunctions. Arthritis, hypertension, and memory loss are all examples. So, too, is age-related macular degeneration (AMD) which leads to gradual central vision loss. It might be painless, but it is still debilitating.
AMD develops when the macula – the region responsible for central vision – deteriorates. It causes blind spots in the central vision; it does not, however, affect peripheral vision. Therefore, contrary to popular …show more content…
They also see colors less vividly. Usually, sight loss occurs gradually though there have been cases of it happening suddenly.
There are two types of macular degeneration: dry (non-neovascular) and wet (neovascular). Dry AMD is the early stages of the disease. It usually occurs when the macula has aged and thinned excessively or when pigments are deposited in the macula. Compared to wet AMD, dry AMD is much more gradual and less severe.
As tissues in and around the macula age, they leave behind debris. When it accumulates, it forms yellowish spots known as drusen. Drusen, in turn, is the primary marker for dry AMD.
Often in response to dry AMD, the body tries to resupply the eye with nutrients and oxygen. It does this through a process called choroidal neovascularization which is the abnormal growth of blood vessels in the retina. Eventually these leak blood or fluid, which, in turn, causes permanent damage to light-sensitive cells.
This condition is known as wet AMD, which appears in 10 percent of cases and is characterized by severe central vision loss.
There are two classifications of wet AMD. The occult is when blood vessels growth and leakage is minimal; and classic, where blood vessel growth and scarring is more