Has Age Related Macular Degeneration Affected You?

The definition of macular degeneration states that it is a disease that affects a person's central vision. Macular degeneration is associated with aging and it gradually destroys the otherwise sharp vision that one normally enjoys during their younger days.

This disease generally causes no pain at all. It affects the macula, the element of the eye that allows a person to see an image or an object's intricate details. Age related macular degeneration advances very slowly in such a way that the people suffering from it don't really notice much difference in their vision. But if it is left untreated, it may lead to the eventual blindness or total loss of vision in both eyes.

Macular degeneration comes in two forms such as dry and wet macular degeneration. Wet macular degeneration happens when there are blood vessels forming abnormally behind the eye's retina. When these blood vessels start to grow beneath the macula, they usually leak both fluid and blood. And this instance rapidly damages the macula.

Dry macular degeneration, on the other hand, happens when the macula breaks down due to the light that it is always exposed to. The macula is light sensitive and so over a person's lifetime, it may break down gradually. When dry macular degeneration gets worse, blur spots are known to develop.

The Causes of Macular Degeneration

The causes of macular degeneration are many and varied. Sometimes, even one's lifestyle makes a big difference. The common causes of macular degeneration are as follows:

Smoking.
Studies had shown that smoking increases the person's risks of acquiring age related macular degeneration. Cigarettes contain ingredients that directly affect the macula.
Obesity.
A number of researches had proven that there is indeed a link between the occurrence of age related macular degeneration and obesity. And most research shows that the disease progresses from early or intermediate to advanced macular degeneration due to obesity.
Race.
Race had become a factor of age related macular degeneration as well. After a series of treatments, medical record shows that the patients of this disease mostly belong to the white race. This means that Caucasians are more prone to developing the disease when compared to the African Americans.
Family and Medical history.
A person's genes are related to macular degeneration as well. The immediate relatives of the people suffering from this disease are more likely to develop them as well.
Gender.
Age related macular degeneration is more common to women than men. Most of the time, the disease occurs first on women with its occurrence is delayed in men. Generally, women are at higher risks compared to their male counterparts.