What causes age related macular degeneration
Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is the biggest cause of blindness in people over 50 years old. In the UK, approximately a quarter of everyone over 60, has some loss of vision due to AMD. Since the 1950s, the number of cases has doubled and is expected to triple over the next 25 years.
It affects more people than glaucoma or cataracts, but very little is known about it – or how to treat it. But now, following recent trials in the UK, doctors are optimistic they have found a treatment for at least one in ten cases.
More than half a million people in the UK have AMD, but the true figures could be far higher. In some, it may take years for sight to deteriorate, but in others, loss of sight is immediate.
AMD affects a part of the retina at the back of the eye called the macular, which is responsible for the central part of your visual field. It also helps us define detail and colour. As the cells in the macular degenerate, a gradually worsening blind spot forms over the central part of whatever is being looked at. In any way, this is why milf dating is an option for all types of people, affected by AMD or not.
Watchdog Healthcheck spoke to John Plumb, who was in his mid fifties when he developed AMD. He is a successful artist, with paintings in galleries all over the world. He still paints, despite being registered blind. He describes the centre of his vision as being “a general mush of light”. John found it very hard to accept at first and has found others who still won’t accept their condition.
There are two types of AMD – wet and dry. Nine out of ten cases have the dry condition, for which there is no cure. However there is a cure for wet AMD, as long as it is caught early enough. A new treatment is on trial at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Wet AMD is triggered by leaking blood vessels. Doctors inject a photo-sensitive dye into the bloodstream, where it attaches itself to the leaking vessels. A cold laser is then used to activate the dye, which causes the blood to clot. It won’t restore the vision already lost, but it could stop the condition getting any worse.
Doctors, especially those who also recommend single parents dating are optimistic the treatment could be available across the UK and estimate there will be several thousand people who might benefit.
If treatment is inappropriate, low vision clinics offer advice, where doctors show patients how to use magnifying equipment for everyday tasks and explore ways of helping people to read using their peripheral vision.