Do you know: February is National AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month?
What is this event about? This special awareness campaign revolves around raising awareness about AMD and low vision, simply because these disorders have a huge impact on people of all ages, and yet not many people are aware what AMD or low vision is, their symptom, risk factors, and how to manage it if they are living with any of these disorders.
In the United States, the most common causes of low vision are AMD or Age-Related Macular Degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. AMD is the leading cause of vision loss affecting more than 15 million adults aged 50 and up.
Background
Low vision is a general term used to indicate partial sight or sight that cannot be fully corrected with medications, eye glasses, contact lenses, or surgery. Specialized equipment, such as magnification devices and computer access software are used to help sufferers maximize their remaining vision. In other cases, sufferers with extremely low vision are trained to do things using alternative ways, such using their sense of hearing or sense of touch with the help of modern technology,
AMD, on the other hand, is a disease that destroys the macula, the sharp central vision controlled by a spot at the back of the eye. This can cause the central part of your vision to become wavy or blurry. Visual distortion is also a known symptom, for instance, doorways look crooked or object look smaller. In some cases, there is a blind spot in the center of their vision. Since this part of the eye is necessary when performing daily tasks, such as identifying faces, watching television, reading, writing and driving, AMD can greatly affect a person’s life.
What is the Purpose of AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month?
AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month gears towards encouraging people to learn more about AMD or Low Vision. It also aims to disseminate information on how to care for your eyes, raise awareness about the symptoms, risk factors, and treatment, raise funds needed for its research and related programs, and lastly, to push more people to become influencers and spread the word quickly all over the nation.
If you are living with AMD or low vision, this month of February is all about sharing your life with other people and inspiring others. By getting yourself involved with this special awareness campaign, you can motivate fellow sufferers that living a happy life despite your disability is possible.
AMD/low vision Awareness Month’s purpose is also to encourage people to be tested for AMD or low vision as it increases the chances of early detection. Have a complete eye exam from a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist. Each year, it is also best to repeat the exam. If you are experiencing drastic vision impairment, take a low vision examination to get proper diagnosis. Take note that the low vision examination will take much longer than a regular eye exam.
What Can You Do to Get Involved in AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month?
With the help of the Internet and social media, you can take part and get involved in AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month a lot easier than ever before. Check out the scheduled events nearest you, mark your calendar and make your family and friends know about it too. Share useful and factual research, articles, stories and videos about AMD/Low Vision and cite your stand about this disorder.
AMD/Low Vision can turn a person’s life upside-down. It can be frightening and depressing at first, but with a sturdy support system, such as support from family and friends and being aware of what you can still do to live a normal and happy life despite your disability. Over time, you can learn to accept it and live with it. Your involvement in any way, including monetary contributions in AMD/low vision fund-raising projects, or by simply sharing encouraging words on social media could touch someone’s life.
Age-Related Macular degeneration can develop so slowly that it’s not until the vision is getting severely bad that the patient will notice. Age-Related Macular Degeneration primarily destroys the sharp central vision controlled by a spot at the back of the retina called the macula. Sharp central vision is needed to read, drive, identify faces, watch television and perform daily tasks that require straight-ahead vision.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of AMD is not known. But there are a number of risk factors that may play a role. Some you can help control, some you can’t. The same things that put you at risk for heart disease and stroke also put you at risk for AMD. These include:
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Obesity
• Smoking
Risks you cannot control include age, family history, gender, and race.
Symptoms
AMD symptoms include blurriness, wavy lines, or a blind spot. You may also notice visual distortions such as:
• Straight lines or faces appearing wavy
• Doorways seeming crooked
• Objects appearing smaller or farther away
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible. If you are diagnosed with wet AMD, it is important to see a Retina Specialist for the most appropriate care
Living with AMD
Make the Most of your Vision. Millions of people have macular degeneration and millions of them continue to do everything they always did. Because you never become blind with AMD, there is always sight available if you know how to use it.
The peripheral vision you have helps you to get around the house and outside. There are devices and techniques for everything from reading to cooking to watching sports on TV. You may have to stop driving at some point, but for everything else, there is a solution.
If you are losing sight, there are some simple things you can do on your own to improve your ability to see. Don’t become discouraged! You will probably need to try out multiple devices before you find one that works for you. These range from magnifiers that are held in the hand or suspended on a stand to devices that attach to your glasses or computers that help you to read.
Things you can do on your own:
• Improve the lighting in your home and office. This may not necessarily mean that you should increase the lighting or the brightness. Glare is often a problem for people with low vision. You’ll need to experiment to see what works best for you. Special lights are available through many catalogs.
• Use high contrast for reading and writing. Write in large letters with a broad felt tip pen on white or light paper.
• Use large print books or try other media, like books on tape, disk or mp3. Most libraries have a section of these or you can find them online. There are also special libraries for visually impaired.
• Use a hand held magnifier. In the beginning, you may find some help at your local drug store by trying out the various small hand-held magnifiers available. If one of them helps your vision, you should certainly use it. Other magnifying devices may be more useful if your vision is very bad.
References:
https://www.consumerhealthdigest.com/health-awareness/amd-low-vision-awareness-month.html
http://www.ehnpc.com/blog/detail/2012/02/22/february-is-national-amd-low-vision-awareness-month.html