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February is a month centered on love, and it is also Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Awareness Month. As Valentine’s Day approaches, it is the perfect time to show your eyes the love and care they deserve. At Performance Eyecare, we believe protecting your vision is one of the most meaningful ways to care for yourself and the people you love.
What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?
Age-Related Macular Degeneration, commonly known as AMD, is a progressive eye disease that affects the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision. AMD impacts central vision, making it harder to read, recognize faces, drive, or enjoy everyday moments that help us stay connected to loved ones. While AMD rarely causes total blindness, it can significantly reduce quality of life if left undetected.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, recent advances in treatment have made it possible to slow progression and preserve vision for many AMD patients. These breakthroughs provide real hope, but only when the condition is detected early. Early detection remains the most critical first step in protecting sight from AMD.
The Types of Age-Related Macular Degeneration
There are two primary types of AMD. Dry AMD is the most common form, accounting for approximately 85 to 90 percent of cases. It occurs when light-sensitive cells in the macula gradually break down. Wet AMD is less common but more severe and develops when abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina and leak fluid. Both forms can be identified during a comprehensive eye exam, often before symptoms are even noticeable.
The Importance of Regular Eye Examinations
One of the challenges of AMD is that early stages often have no symptoms at all. This makes routine eye exams essential, especially for adults over the age of 50. Valentine’s Day offers a meaningful reminder to be proactive about your eye health. Demonstrating love for your vision means scheduling regular eye appointments to catch AMD early, when treatment options are most effective.
The good news is that AMD can often be detected during your annual eye exam. While there is no cure, specialized vitamins can help manage Dry AMD, and advanced treatments such as intraocular injections can slow vision loss in Wet AMD. Prevention also plays a role, including annual eye exams, not smoking, maintaining a healthy diet, and protecting eyes from UV exposure.
Give the Gift of Sight for Valentine’s Day
This month, give yourself and your loved one the gift of healthy vision by prioritizing comprehensive eye health screenings. A Performance Eyecare gift card is a thoughtful way to encourage those you care about to protect their sight.
Just as Valentine’s Day celebrates the people we love, AMD Awareness Month reminds us to cherish and protect our precious gift of sight. Show your eyes some love this February by staying proactive, informed, and committed to lifelong eye health.
Roses are red, violets are blue. If things look a little blurry, we’ve got you! This Valentine’s season, show your eyes some love. Schedule an eye exam; your vision’s worth it.
At Performance Eyecare we put the CARE in Eyecare.