Age related sight impairment a condition known as macular degeneration or AMD occurs when the cells of the macula become damaged and stop working
. Although the condition normally affects people at their 60s, this can occasional happen at any age, but rarely. In the Western world, it is the most common cause of blindness.
The macula is a small area in the retina that contains special cells that are especially sensitive to light. The macula enables people to see fine details clearly and is essential for the healthy workings on the eye. This type of vision impairment leads to central vision lost and does not affect the peripheral vision.
Types Of Age Related Sight Impairment:
This condition affects about 20 to 25 million people worldwide. There are two types of age related macular degeneration. The first type is know as wet macular degeneration and the second type is know as dry macular degeneration which is also the most common type. In 9 out of 10 cases, dry macular degeneration is responsible for age related sight impairment.
Treatments:
Age related sight impairment will usually occur in both eyes, although one eye may become affected earlier than the other. A regular eye test which is recommended twice a year for the over 60s will help diagnose the condition, otherwise if you suspect you might be suffering from age related sight impairment you should book an appointment to see your local opticians. Your optician will likely suggest a few alternatives from medicines to laser eye surgery based on your particular circumstances and the type of age related macular degeneration you have.