AGE RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION
AMD is an eye condition that affects the central part of your vision
AMD Overview
AMD
AMD is an eye condition that affects the central part of your vision
Urgency
Some types of AMD need to be treated quickly, so it’s important to see your optometrist urgently if you notice any sudden change in your vision
Vision Loss
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of visual loss in the UK affecting older people
Risk Factors
Age is the main risk factor for developing AMD and the disease is more common in people over 65
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AMD
Age-related macular degeneration, commonly referred to as AMD, is a retinal degenerative disease that causes a progressive loss of central vision. AMD is the most common cause of blindness in individuals over the age of 55 in developed countries.
The retina is packed with photoreceptors, the cells that enable us to see. Photoreceptors convert light into electrical impulses, which are transferred to the brain via the optic nerve and converted into the images we see. The macula is a small region in the center of the retina that’s rich in cones, the photoreceptors that enable a person to perceive fine details (e.g., read, recognize faces), colors, and objects in daylight or lighted conditions. Central vision loss from AMD occurs when cone photoreceptors in the macula degenerate.
The greatest risk factors for AMD are aging and smoking. An unhealthy diet and unprotected sunlight exposure can also increase AMD risk. Genetics is also a risk factor.
Normal Vision
AMD
AMD Symptoms
Use the slider to see the effect of Age Related Macular Degeneration.
Drag the slider to the left and right to see the effects of AMD
AMD is an eye condition that affects the central part of your vision
Some types of AMD need to be treated quickly, so it’s important to see your optometrist urgently if you notice any sudden change in your vision
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Typical Symptoms
To begin with, dry AMD may have little effect on your vision. The first symptoms are a blurring of central vision, especially during tasks such as reading or recognising faces. Also, straight lines may appear distorted or warped. As the disease progresses, blind spots may form within the central field of vision. In most cases, if one eye has AMD, the other eye has the condition or is at risk of developing it. The extent of central vision loss varies and can depend on the type of AMD — dry or wet.
About 10-15 percent of people with dry AMD will develop the wet form in one or both eyes. Wet AMD often progresses rapidly and causes substantial loss of central vision, if left untreated.
Medical experts are not sure exactly what causes age-related macular degeneration (AMD), but some factors may increase your risk of developing it. We highlight some of those risk factors below.
Age
The number one risk factor is age. One-third of adults over 75 are affected by AMD.
Smoking
People who smoke are up to five times more likely to develop AMD.
Family History
A person is more likely to develop AMD if someone in his or her immediate family has had it.
Gender
Females are more likely to develop AMD than males. This however may be a consequence of females living longer and thus having more time to develop the disease.
Sun Exposure
Evidence is not conclusive but some studies suggest a connection between AMD and eye damage from ultraviolet (UV) and other light sources. This light may damage the retina and increase the risk of AMD.
Diet
People with diets that are elevated in fat, cholesterol and high glycemic index foods, and low in antioxidants and green leafy vegetables may be more likely to develop AMD.
Obesity
A person with a BMI (body mass index, a measure of body fat) of greater than 30 is 2.5 times more likely to develop the disease than a person with a lower BMI.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, like smoking, leads to a constriction (narrowing) of the blood vessels that nourish the retina, restricting oxygen flow. This leads to a greater risk of AMD.
Treatment
At the Eye Health Clinic your treatment would be tailored to your individual symptoms, and the cause of your condition. If you are suffering with any eye problems the best thing to do is to contact us and get your eyes checked.
Simple Steps To Healthier Eyes
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A quick, comfortable procedure offering instant relief from Dry Eye
MiBoFlo is a new treatment designed for dry eye disease and meibomian gland dysfunction. The eye and eyelid are gently massaged resulting in an increased flow of natural tear oils from your meibomian glands bringing instant relief.
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The latest treatment for Blepharitis and the relief of Dry Eye
BlephEx is the latest treatment for Blepharitis and for the relief of Dry Eye. With BlephEx we can thoroughly and precisely eliminates the flakes and bacterial debris from your lid margins, which are the main causes of inflammatory lid disease.
Read MoreIf you suffer from dry eye, you may have sought treatment with limited results. At the eye health clinic we find the source of the problem and treat it correctly.
If your eyes feel sore, gritty, red or tired and you use your mobile, laptop, desktop and other digital devices daily, you need to take action now. Computer Vision Syndrome causes dry eyes, and if left unchecked, can lead to serious eye problems.
Treatments include: IPL, MiBoFlo and BlephEx
At the eye health clinic we can enhance your eyelashes whilst addressing any problems you have with your eyelashes. Eyelid and eyelash problems can be very painful and can even affect your sight if left untreated. The eyelids and eyelashes act as protective barriers for our eyes and help ensure your eyes don’t dry out.
Many people often think dark circles under the eyes are caused by lack of sleep and being tired, while this can be the case, there are also various other reasons why dark circles appear under the eyes.
Puffy eyes and dark circles are very common and can give you a tired and old appearance. This can cause you to feel embarrassed, and affect your confidence and self-esteem. The best solution for puffy eyes and dark circles will depend on the underlying cause.
Treatments are available at the Eye Health Clinic.
What is Cataract Treatment?
Contact Lens Problems are common in the UK
Did you know that there is an actual proper side to wearing your lenses?
There are many types and sizes of contact lenses and its important to make sure you are using the correct lenses for your eyes.
If your eyes are stinging, burning, itching or painfull remove the lenses immediately and seek advice.
The damage caused by glaucoma can’t be reversed. But treatment and regular checkups can help slow or prevent vision loss, especially if you catch the disease in its early stages.
Glaucoma is treated by lowering your eye pressure (intraocular pressure). Depending on your situation, your options may include prescription eyedrops, oral medications, laser treatment, surgery or a combination of any of these.
Treatments depend on the type of AMD you have.
Dry AMD – there’s no treatment, but vision aids can help reduce the effect on your life.
Wet AMD – you may need regular eye injections and, very occasionally, a light treatment called “photodynamic therapy” to stop your vision getting worse.
At the Eye Health Clinic we srtive to bring to our customers the very latest techniques and technologies in eye care.
One such example is a brand new concept of using a persons own immune system to treat many eye disorders especially dry eye syndrome.
This is a new field of treatment and we are working with technology partners to bring this to the UK
Our Vision
For Our Customers
To improve our patients’ quality of life by providing each and every patient with the best possible treatments
Our Promise
We promise to treat you as an individual with respect and understanding
What you can expect
You can expect clinical excellence offering the latest techniques to the highest standards
Results
To provide our customers with the highest possible clinical results
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