Age related macular degeneration
or AMD is a corrosion or collapse of the eye’s macula. The macula is a small
area in the retina; it’s the light sensitive tissue that faces the back of the
eye. The macula is responsible for the central vision, and thus it allows you
to view the image with fine details clearly. In some people, AMD advances so
slowly that vision loss doesn’t occur for a long time. In others, the disease
progresses faster and may lead to a loss of vision in one or both eyes.
The exact reason of the AMD is
still unidentified. Age related macular degeneration causes are likely to be
genetically inherited or can be related to a combination of heredities and
environmental factors, which also includes your diet and smoking or drinking
habit. Macular degeneration often runs in families and passes on from one
generation to another. There may be a diversity in genes and proteins
associated with dry and wet macular degeneration.
The condition evolves as the eye
ages, overtime the macula becomes thin and the light sensitive cells in the
macula start to break down. Along with the growing age the waste products in
your retina start to build up, forming deposits of typical or exudative drusen.
As dry AMD grows, you will have fewer light sensitive cells in your macula,
weakening your central vision. A blurred spot will mature in the centre of your
vision, making your central vision blur and unclear. As a result, you may need
more light when reading and while doing other close work.
In cases of wet AMD, tiny blood
vessels begin to propagate underneath the macula. It's thought these blood
vessels form as an attempt by the body to clear away the drusen from the
retina. Unfortunately, the blood vessels form in the wrong place and cause more
harm than doing good. There can be blood leaking from the eye, which can cause
scars and countless damage to your macula. It can further result in distorted
vision and blind spots. Age related macular degeneration causes
are uncertain, but a number of things increase your risk of developing it.
Given below some of the risk factors:
Ø Age
The older a person gets, the more
likely are they to develop some degree of AMD. Most cases begin to develop with
the people aged 50 or over and rise sharply along with the growing age.
Ø Family
history
AMD has been known to run in
families. If your parents or siblings develop AMD, then even you are at risk of
also developing the condition. This suggests certain genes you receive from
your parents may increase your risk of getting AMD.
Ø Smoking
A person who smokes is up to four
times more likely to develop AMD than someone who's never smoked. It is a
well-established risk factor for both forms of macular degeneration.
