Why macular degeneration is a leading cause of legal blindness.
Nowadays the most common cause of severe vision loss among people over 65 is age-related macular degeneration (formerly known as senile macular degeneration). For people 52 to 64 years of age, this eye disease affects one in 50. For people aged 65 to 74, the prevalence increase to one in ten. and for those between 75 and 85, one in three has the disease.
Macular degeneration affects the macula, the tiny central area of the retina. The macula provides central vision, which is essential for seeing fine detail, looking straight at an object, reading and driving. Age-related macular degeneration is a leading cause of legal blindness, one of the criteria being central vision of 20/200 or worse in the better eye with corrective eyeglasses.
People with macular degeneration are frequently aware of a problem early in the course of the disease. They may complain that their vision has become blurry or distorted or that their reading ability has decreased and words seem to crowd together. Drs. Larry and Michael Morrison can conduct a simple, painless screening to confirm the presence of macular degeneration using their ultramodern digital retinal camera, the first of its kind among local optometrists.
Since so little is known about the direct cause of macular degeneration, effective treatment isn't always possible. Lasers can sometimes be used to seal damaged blood vessels in the early stages of what is called "wet-type" macular degeneration. Other therapies, including drugs, are constantly being explored for every form of macular degeneration. Although macular degeneration cannot be reversed, people with the condition can usually continue their daily activities using their peripheral vision and making the most of their remaining detail vision. Devices like high-intensity reading lamps and magnifiers help compensate for the loss of detail and make some fine work possible again.
For more information on macular degeneration or to schedule an appointment, call the Morrison Eye Care office nearest you.
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1135 Washington Avenue
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(Two blocks south of St. Mary's Hospital)
Call 218-847-2020 - Fax 218-847-6165
785 South Highway 59
Mahnomen, MN 56577
(In the Manitok Mall)
Call 218-936-2020 - Fax 218-935-5541
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