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March 31 - Vision Loss a Key Issue for Aging Women

As the baby-boomer generation comes of age, conditions affecting vision seem to be getting more attention in doctor's offices around the country. Roughly 200,000 cases of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) get diagnosed each year, a disease that affects women more frequently than men.

Age-related macular degeneration is the number one cause of vision loss in adults ages 60 and older. It affects the macula, the section of the eye that focuses on fine detail. As a result, AMD causes the loss of sharp, central vision which is necessary for normal, daily tasks such as reading and driving.

“Macular degeneration does affect women more often than men, as shown in many of our large studies,” explains Larry Singerman, MD, of the Wills Eye Institute in Philadelphia.

Age is the greatest risk factor for AMD. Because women tend to live longer than men, AMD is more prevalent among women. Aside from age and sex, other risk factors include:
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Family history
• Race

Caucasian adults are more likely to lose vision from AMD than African Americans.

AMD can sneak up on people because it usually doesn’t hurt. It can progress gradually. In some cases, the patient fails to notice any significant change before it’s too late. In other cases, the disease course is more rapid and can result in visual impairment in both eyes. That is why it is so important to get regular eye exams.

Early detection is key because treating AMD aggressively, early on, can slow the loss of vision. Treatment for AMD includes special drugs, laser therapies, vitamins and vision-assisting devices.

“There are many new treatments on the horizon,” says Singerman. “We have proven the benefit of anti-VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) drugs. Newer drugs, including small interfering RNA, are mainly aimed at reducing the frequency of intravitreal injection of the older drugs, which may be used every four to six weeks, for as much or more than a year.”

Anti-VEGF drugs are designed to hinder new blood vessel formation, the cause of one type of AMD, and require regular injections into the eye. The newer drugs work by destroying strands of messenger RNA, which is responsible for producing harmful proteins. They require fewer injections.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years for seniors over the age of 65, and every two to four years for adults between forty and 65. AMD can be diagnosed at a routine eye exam. If AMD runs in your family, you may want to speak to an eye specialist about appropriate screening measures. Your doctor can also give you a special chart called an Amsler Grid that you can take home with you and use to detect early trouble.

There are also warning signs associated with AMD. If you experience any of the following vision symptoms, contact an eye care specialist:
• Lines or edges that appear wavy or distorted;
• Blurry faces or difficulty seeing colors;
• Dark or empty spaces that block the center of your vision;
• Difficulty reading fine print or reading road signs from a moving vehicle; or
• Difficulty seeing at a distance or during twilight hours.

Source: Society for Women's Health Research

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