Age-related Macular Degeneration or AMD is a disease associated with aging that attacks the macula of the eye and gradually destroys its sharp, central vision. The condition is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness among Americans who are 65 years and older.
Although the disease causes no pain and rarely results in complete blindness, the loss of central vision can significantly impair a person and prevent him from performing many daily activities. This can make it more difficult for an individual to enjoy a full and independent life.
Although aging is the most common risk factor of AMD, there are other causes that contribute to the progression of this disease. Other risk factors are smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, and the family's medical history. Additionally, the disease is known to have a higher incidence among Caucasians, and women appear to be at greater risk than men.
Depending on the rate of how the disease spreads, there are some cases where a person affected by AMD notice very little change in their vision, and there are also other cases wherein the disease advances at a faster rate, causing a person to lose his or her vision in both eyes at a more rapid time-frame.
There are two types of AMD, the most common being the 'dry' (atrophic) macular degeneration. Ninety percent of those who are suffering from this disease have this type, which occurs when the light-sensitive cells in the macula slowly break down, gradually blurring the central vision in the affected eye. Although scientists are still not sure of what the cause of Dry AMD is, studies suggest that an area of the retina becomes diseased, leading to the slow breakdown of the light-sensing cells in the macula and a gradual loss of central vision.
The second type of AMD is the 'wet' (neovascular) macular degeneration. Although only ten percent of those who are suffering from AMD are affected by this type, it accounts for ninety percent of all blindness from the disease and is much more severe than the atrophic form. However, as dry AMD progresses, the person affected may eventually have this type of macular disease, causing more damage to their macula, leading to the loss of central vision in a short period of time.
Unfortunately, there are still no known treatments available to cure AMD. Since the disease progresses differently in each individual, and is long-term and unpredictable, it has been very hard to develop and release an effective treatment. However, there are now many research and experimental treatments on-going to help prevent or completely cure the disease. Currently, there are treatments that are in controlled clinical trials and are not yet available to the general public, and there are other treatments that are only appropriate for Wet AMD.
Fortunately, there are supplements available that can maximize the intake of the important substances necessary for maintaining vision health. AMD/OPTICAPS from Nature's Dawn, for instance, is a revolutionary Lutein-rich dietary supplement that aids in significantly cutting the risk of AMD, and may prevent or slow the progress of the disease. As scientists try to find a treatment for completely curing AMD, those who are suffering from this disease can trust Nature's Dawn in the mean time to help them slow the effects of Age-related Macular Degeneration
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