(NC) It’s the leading cause of vision loss among older adults, affecting nearly 2.5 million Canadians, but awareness around age-related macular degeneration (AMD) remains low. It can significantly impact daily life and long-term eye health, so education and early detection are crucial. Here’s what you should know:  

What is AMD? 

The condition begins when the macula, a part of your retina, becomes damaged. There are two forms of the disease, dry and wet. The dry form is the most common, accounting for 85–90 per cent of cases. The disease advances through three stages: early, intermediate and late. In some cases, the dry form can progress to wet AMD, a less common but more aggressive form that can lead to significant vision loss. 

What are the symptoms? 

At the early stage, symptoms are often unnoticeable but can rapidly progress, impacting vision and quality of life. In later stages, central vision can become very blurry or completely dark, making simple tasks like reading and recognizing faces difficult or even impossible. 

Who’s at risk? 

Risk for developing AMD increases as we age, and research suggests that a family history of the disease can increase the risk further. Other factors like cardiovascular disease, prolonged UV exposure, smoking and diets rich in saturated fats also make the disease more likely to develop. 

What treatments are available? 

A healthy lifestyle and balanced diet can help slow the progression of dry AMD, but can’t reverse it. The first treatment approved by Health Canada is a device called MacuMira, and it’s currently the only available option for dry AMD. Research has shown that it improves vision significantly in most recipients.  

The more Canadians know about AMD, its symptoms and risks, the better chance they have of protecting their vision well into the future. Ask your eye care professional about lifestyle choices that can support eye health, as well as available treatment options.  

Learn more at macumira.com.