February is Age-Related Macular Degeneration Month

Please join the Rochester Eye & Laser Center in recognizing February as Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)/Low Vision Awareness Month. Our goal is to help educate the public about the risk factors associated with AMD, along with the treatment options available.

A leading cause of vision loss in aging Americans, WebMD defines age-related macular degeneration as “the leading cause of severe, irreversible vision loss in people over age 60. It occurs when the small central portion of the retina, known as the macula, deteriorates. The retina is the light-sensing nerve tissue at the back of the eye.”

Common symptoms associated with AMD include:

• Struggling to see in dim light
• Trouble seeing central vision
• Straight lines may appear blurry, wavy, or are missing altogether
• Changes in the way colors appear; as if they were faded

Changes to the retina at the back of the eye can only be seen by your eyecare professional, with the use of special equipment. There is no cure for AMD, but with early detection and treatment, the progression of the disease can be slowed considerably. Therefore, it is very important that if you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, you schedule a routine eye exam with us, as soon as possible.