Busting Common Myths About Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common cause of vision loss among older adults. Around 200 million people worldwide have AMD, and this number is predicted to rise to almost 300 million by 2040. This eye condition can impact your central vision. While AMD doesn’t cause total blindness, it can make reading, driving and doing up-close tasks more difficult.

Various myths surround AMD despite being a common eye condition. As a prevalent issue affecting millions, it’s crucial to separate fiction from fact. A local optician debunks some of the most popular myths about AMD in this post.

Only the Elderly Suffer From Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration often occurs in older people, but it doesn’t mean younger individuals can’t have it. People 50 and older are at higher risk for developing AMD. Your lifestyle, diet and overall health can also increase your likelihood of getting this eye condition. Eating nourishing meals, daily movement and quitting smoking go a long way in lowering the risk or slowing the progression of AMD.

AMD Has No Symptoms

In its initial stages, AMD might not manifest apparent symptoms. As the condition progresses, patients might experience issues with their central vision. Often, people with advanced AMD find it hard to read and see faces. If you have early wet AMD, you see straight lines as wavy or crooked. You might also notice blind spots in the center of images.

You Don’t Need to See an Eye Doctor If You Have No Symptoms

Many eye diseases, including AMD, can creep up unnoticed until major damage has occurred. Many times, patients are unaware they have the condition until they experience significant vision loss. Regularly scheduling an eye examination can help in the early detection and treatment of AMD. Eye care professionals can catch early indications of AMD by performing a series of tests. Following a thorough assessment, they will recommend ways to preserve your vision and slow the progression of the eye condition.

AMD Causes Blindness

Vision loss can occur due to AMD. However, if you have this eye condition, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll go blind. Patients typically lose some of their central vision but not their peripheral vision. Macular degeneration is not curable, but various treatment options are available, depending on the type of AMD.

Vision Loss Is a Part of Aging

Your eyes do go through a lot of changes as you age. As you get older, you might experience difficulty seeing nearby objects. Remember, significant vision loss isn’t a normal part of aging. If you are suffering from severe vision changes, see your eye doctor immediately. It could be happening due to macular degeneration and not only because of aging.

AMD Only Happens to People With Poor Eyesight

It’s easy to believe that AMD only affects individuals who have struggled with their eyesight, but this is another myth. AMD can affect anyone, regardless of whether they’ve had a 20/20 vision their whole life or not. Genetics, diet, high blood pressure and exposure to sunlight can also impact your risk.

Supplements Can Prevent AMD

A well-rounded diet rich in fruits, vegetables and fatty fish can provide nutrients beneficial to eye health. Taking supplements doesn’t guarantee you will not develop AMD. Scientific evidence shows that while certain vitamins and antioxidants may help slow the progression of AMD for those already diagnosed, they won’t completely prevent the disease in those who are at high risk.

AMD-Related Vision Loss Is Reversible

As mentioned, there’s still no cure for macular degeneration. Healthy lifestyle changes, wearing UV-blocking sunglasses outdoors, and maintaining healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels can help reduce the risk of advanced AMD. However, once this eye condition affects your vision, what’s lost can’t be restored.

Your Risk of AMD Is Low If You Have No Family History of the Eye Disease

Regardless of family history, anyone can develop AMD. Genetics isn’t the only factor that can determine your risk for AMD. It can occur in people who have high blood pressure and poor diet. AMD is also more likely to happen in smokers and obese individuals. Moreover, you should still get an eye exam regularly, even if AMD doesn’t run in your family.

Eating Carrots Can Prevent AMD

Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, a nutrient the body converts into vitamin A. This nutrient is vital for maintaining healthy eyes. As with taking supplements, eating carrots can’t prevent macular degeneration. It can’t improve your visual acuity or the sharpness of your vision. Vision problems usually happen due to eye length and curvature irregularities. These imperfections can cause astigmatism, nearsightedness and farsightedness. The only way to correct refractive errors is through prescription lenses or LASIK surgery.

Smoking Doesn’t Affect AMD

Heart disease and lung cancer are not the only consequences of smoking. This unhealthy habit can put you at higher risk for diabetes, tuberculosis and rheumatoid arthritis. It can also affect your eyes. Several studies show that smokers are more likely to develop cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, dry eye syndrome and age-related macular degeneration.

Your risk for AMD can increase by up to four times if you are a smoker. Even if you don’t smoke but you live with someone who does, you’re twice more likely to develop AMD. If you’re a smoker, quitting is one of the best decisions you can make for your overall health.

Reading in Dim Light Causes AMD

Good lighting can help you perform any activity safely and comfortably. It isn’t true that you will develop AMD from reading in dim light. Reading in poor lighting conditions can strain your eyes but won’t cause permanent damage. Your eye muscles will work harder to adjust to low light levels, leading to discomfort, headaches and blurred vision.