| In Florida, many retirees come to live out their golden | | | | What Type of Treatments Are There? |
| years; the age of the average Floridian is older than | | | | There are actually two different types of age-related |
| almost anywhere else in the U.S. Florida offers a | | | | macular degeneration, or AMD. One is called |
| lovely climate and many amenities, but unfortunately, | | | | “wet,” while the other is known as |
| macular degeneration can keep seniors from enjoying | | | | “dry.” The latter variety is far more common. |
| their Florida retirement to its fullest. There’s no | | | | This happens gradually over time, and is the result of |
| cure for low vision due to macular degeneration, but | | | | the slow deterioration of the macula. The |
| Low vision Specialists in Florida can offer treatments. | | | | “wet” form is relatively rare, occurring in |
| What Is Macular Degeneration? | | | | about 10% of cases. However, it is more serious; |
| Age-related macular degeneration is common among | | | | caused by an abnormal build-up of blodd-vessels in |
| people who have reached the age of fifty and | | | | the eye, it can strike suddenly and result in blindness |
| beyond, and is a weakening of the macula, part of | | | | very quickly. |
| the eye’s retina. As it progresses, those who | | | | In either case, low vision specialists in Florida often |
| suffer from it start to lose their central vision; | | | | advise their patients to eat a diet that is rich in dark, |
| peripheral vision may remain, but objects directly in | | | | leafy green vegetables (i.e., spinach, kale, collard |
| front become blurry and out-of-focus. Your Florida | | | | greens) and salt-water fish such as cod or salmon, |
| low vision eye doctor cannot cure this condition once | | | | which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These may be |
| it has begun, but low vision treatments are available | | | | effective in macular degeneration prevention when it |
| that can stop it from progressing further. | | | | comes to controlling the symptoms. Certain |
| Can It Be Prevented?low vision Specialists in Florida | | | | antioxidant vitamins and minerals such as zinc may |
| and elsewhere are likely to tell you that macular | | | | also be helpful, although these should not be taken |
| degeneration prevention is not possible. However, | | | | without a doctor’s guidance. Other than that, |
| there are risk factors that when minimized can | | | | there are some prosthetic devices that low vision |
| substantially lower the chances of developing macular | | | | specialists in Florida can recommend and for which |
| degeneration. Besides regular eye examinations, the | | | | they can fit you that will help you in making the most |
| best things to do are to avoid tobacco and to include | | | | of your remaining eyesight. |
| fresh fruit and nuts in your diet. | | | | |