Introduction:
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in short. AMD is the main reason behind vision loss, and it affects your central vision. As you might guess from the name, it is age-related. Mainly, those above 50 years might be affected. But don't be fooled - age isn't the only factor at play here. When it comes to the risk factors, it can be your genes - those little bits of code you inherited from your parents. They can play a role. But here's the good news: not everything is set in the genes. Some factors, like whether you smoke, what you eat, or how well you manage your blood pressure, are totally in the box of AMD risk factors. These are things you can change. So, while you can't change your age or your DNA, there are still several factors that you can manage to prevent AMD. It's all about focusing on the things you can control and making smart choices for your eye health.
What Causes Dry AMD?
Dry AMD? It’s all about tiny fats and proteins called Drusen that decide to set up camp under your retina. Do you know about the retina? It’s an important layer at the back of your eye that helps you to see.
Do you know where drusen come from? It comes from waste pieces of the retina that cannot be trashed. If you are over the age of 50, then you may be on the hit list. Wait! Don’t be scared! Not all older folks will be on the hit list. The hard drusen, which you can call the macula, will be harmless if present at the center of your retina. But wait! If these drusen are soft and large, they will be the culprit behind your vision loss.
What Causes Wet AMD?
The main cause of AMD is aging, which will affect your macula. The exact reason behind AMD is not known. The other reasons are family history, blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking.
If you have wet AMD, then your condition will deteriorate more quickly than with dry AMD. Wet AMD? Here are the abnormal blood vessels that tend to grow where they shouldn’t—right in the back of your eye. These abnormal blood vessels leak fluid or blood into your macula. This may damage your eyesight.
How Genetics Influence AMD Risk?
Got AMD in the family? It will increase your chances of getting AMD. It’s not a deal. You might not suffer from this disease. The genetic-AMD link? Still a bit of a mystery. The exact reason behind the connection between genetics and AMD risk is still unknown. Still, scientists are solving this puzzle to know how it goes and how it progresses.
Scientists have caught two genes. They're not just linked to getting the disease but also to how bad it might get.
- First, you have the group of genes called the complement cascade. These genes are present on chromosome 1.
- Second, two genes, ARMS2 (age-related maculopathy susceptibility gene-2) and HTRA (HtrA serine peptidase 1), are present on chromosome 10.
What Is the Risk of AMD by Age?
Age is a big risk factor for AMD. As your age increases, the risk of AMD also increases. It is the biggest culprit for your vision loss. If you are still under 50, then don’t panic. It rarely makes an appearance before you hit the big 50. But once you cross 50, it might be time to keep a closer check on your eyes.
How Does Smoking Affect AMD Risk?
Smoking is a villain for your eyes, especially for your retina. Have you heard of chemicals present in tobacco smoke? They are like poison for the delicate tissues at the back of your eye. Smoking can put you at risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other eye troubles like cataracts.
Want to know what you can do to manage AMD? Put down the cigarettes. It's that simple. Quitting smoking is your best bet for keeping your eyes healthy.
If you are a smoker, you are up to four times more likely to end up with AMD as compared to non-smoking folks. But here's the good news: if you're a smoker, it's not too late. Kicking the smoking habit can lower your chances of getting AMD and might even make it less severe if you do develop it.
How Does High Blood Pressure Affect AMD Risk?
As you get older, your chances of developing high blood pressure and AMD go up. High blood pressure, which you can also call hypertension, and AMD are connected. If you are suffering from hypertension, then there will be chances of AMD, too, because high blood pressure may hurt the tiny blood vessels that feed your retina. Due to damage to the tiny blood vessels, your eyesight will be affected. In the end, there can be blindness, too.
Here's an interesting fact! Some medicines used to treat high blood pressure might increase the risk of wet AMD. The drugs include calcium channel blockers and beta blockers.
Keep in mind that these medicines are culprits, but that doesn't mean you should stop taking your blood pressure medicines. Always chat with your doctor before stopping these medicines.
How Does Weight Affect AMD Risk?
Carrying an extra body mass index does not impact only your weight—it could also impact your eye health. An obese person is more likely to develop age-related macular degeneration (AMD). If you are obese, you will have more inflammation-causing molecules floating around in your blood. This could be why you are more prone to AMD.
Don’t be scared! You can manage your weight by adopting a healthy lifestyle, like a healthy diet and exercise.
What Are the Other Potential Risk Factors of AMD?
The story is not over. Here are other potential risk factors of AMD.
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High blood sugar level (diabetes).
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High thyroid levels.
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If you spend too much time in sunlight, your chances of getting AMD will be high.
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High-sugar food and high-fat food also elevate the chances of AMD.
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Have you ever had any eye surgeries, like for cataracts? If yes, then you will be the next one.
Conclusion
If you are an older person, your eyes might be at high risk of AMD, which can cause vision loss. However, not every person will suffer from this condition. The reasons can be any, like age, genes, smoking, and high blood pressure. Here is the solution: You have to remove cigarettes from your life and adopt a healthy diet.
Key Takeaway From iCliniq
AMD is a very common disease in elderly people. Smoking, blood pressure, and family history can all be the culprits. Don't lose hope, though. Your eye specialist has some tricks to help you. iCliniq experts will suggest measures to manage your overall health, including your eyes.
