Risk Factors for Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Anyone over the age of 50, and especially seniors, should take a moment to learn about risk factors for age related macular degeneration (AMD). Age related macular degeneration continues to be a leading cause of severe vision loss among Americans ages 65 and over. YOU can make a difference in preserving your vision by knowing your risk factors, being aware of your family history, and scheduling regular eye exam appointments. As with many age related eye problems, the key to preventing vision loss from age related macular degeneration is early detection, diagnosis and treatment as recommended by your eye doctor.

Top AMD Risks You Should Know

Ø  Being over the Age of 60

Ø  Having a Family History of AMD

Ø  Cigarette Smoking

Ø  Obesity

Ø  Hypertension

If you have any two of these risk factors, you should schedule an appointment for a complete eye exam and evaluation. We may recommend certain lifestyle choices and preventative measures to help you manage the risks and hopefully reduce your risk of vision loss.

Making Choice to Manage AMD Risk Factors
In addition to the top risks mentioned above there are some AMD risks that can be reduced by making certain lifestyle and health related choices whereas others simply cannot be changed. First, know your family history as any family history of age related macular degeneration (AMD) increases your risk. Second-quit smoking or better-don’t start. Avoid more than 15 g of alcohol consumption per day as alcohol consumption increase AMD risk, Eat green leafy vegetable as part of your regular diet. Obesity and a high fat diet also contribute to an increased risk. If you are at high risk for developing late stage AMD, taking a dietary supplement of vitamin C, vitamin E and beta carotene, along with zinc, has been shown to lower the risk of AMD advancing to advanced stages by 25 percent.

Be Aware of the Symptoms of Wet AMD

Wet AMD is the type of AMD most likely to cause noticeable symptoms as well as cause the quickest and most catastrophic vision loss. Know the symptoms of Wet AMD. Symptoms of Wet AMD can include sudden, noticeable loss or distortion of vision, such as seeing “wavy” lines, “distortion of, or black spots on peoples face”, “distortion or bending of straight lines and objects”. If you experience any of these symptoms, please call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center right away and explain your symptoms and request an immediate appointment. Current treatments for Wet AMD with Vascular Endothelial Growth (VEGF) Inhibitor injections of Lucentis® and Eylea® provide an excellent chance of stopping vision loss and may actually restore some vision when macular degeneration develops. The earlier and the quicker we diagnose Wet AMD, the better the chance of successful treatment.

If you or someone you know has a question about AMD or is concerned about age related macular degeneration risk factors and needs an eye exam, please call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser. Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, 

Progress on Reducing Glaucoma Blindness

Considerable progress has been made on reducing new blindness from glaucoma. This is great news for anyone with glaucoma or at risk of getting glaucoma.  The many new advances that help us with the early diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma have reduced the chance of vision loss, and in fact the risk of blindness from glaucoma has decreased  by nearly half according to researchers from Mayo Clinic. Glaucoma is a condition where the eye does not drain fluid properly, resulting in high pressure in the eye that can damage the optic nerve. In the United States, 2.7 million people age 40 and older have the condition. If left untreated, glaucoma reduces peripheral vision and eventually may cause blindness. According to the Mayo Clinic study, the likelihood of losing sight in one eye was 28 percent for patients diagnosed with glaucoma between 1965 and1980. That number fell to 13.5 percent for patients diagnosed between 1981 and 2000.

Our practice and eye doctors at Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center have worked to consistently encourage patients to schedule regular eye exams with glaucoma testing as this is the best way to detect glaucoma early and initiate treatment as quickly as possible. In addition we have incorporated the regular use as needed, of in office high technology diagnostic imaging called Optical Coherence Technology (OCT) as well as high resolution digital photography for diagnostic purposes. This along with Scott Buck, M.D. providing Indiana patients with in office laser treatments for glaucoma has contributed to our ability to prevent vision loss and blindness from glaucoma.

If you or someone you know has a question about glaucoma or needs and eye exam and tests for glaucoma please call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354. 

Obesity Increases Macular Degeneration Risk

As our ability to gather information and data and conduct detailed statistical analysis has evolved, we find that it is possible to look at associations between many different eye diseases and their risk factors. Researchers reviewing the Beaver Dam Eye Study evaluated the risk of age related eye disease such as age related macular degeneration (AMD) with obesity. They discussed their review in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science where they reported the results of eye exams that were used to evaluate the presence and severity of cataract and macular degeneration as well as measurements of height and weight over a 15 year period of time.  Their findings show that for females who were non smokers, there was indeed and increased risk of early and late stage age related macular degeneration (AMD) with an increasing Body Mass Index (BMI) which is an indicator of being overweight or obesity.

If you or someone you know is overweight or even obese and is concerned about their risk of age related macular degeneration (AMD) they should call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser  to schedule an eye exam.

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354. 

Cataract & Cataract Surgery: A Patient Story

“I am an avid bird watcher and an all-weather walker. Over the past few months I noticed that the feathers on the birds and leaves on trees weren’t as vivid or colorful. I kept putting off getting my eyes checked and finally I was persuaded by my good friend to make an appointment. I made an appointment with Dr. Buck and it was the best decision I ever made.  Both of my cataracts were ready to come out.  We scheduled the right eye first and the surgery went by so quickly.  Shortly after I had the left eye done and I was back to my old self in no time.  Now things are clear and bright. I wish I hadn’t waited so long!

If you or someone you know has a question about cataracts, cataract surgery or lens implants please feel free to call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354.