Vision is one part of your health that you may not think enough about. At the same time, being able to see is an incredibly important part of maintaining your independence. That’s why you should take the time to learn about age-related macular degeneration or AMD for short.
AMD is an eye condition that has the potential to cause older adults to go legally blind. Although there’s no cure for AMD, there are some steps you can take to prevent the condition and to slow its spread. Keep reading to learn more.
AMD is a condition that attacks your eyes’ macula. This is located at the center of your retina and is used to help us perform tasks that require sharp focus, such as reading the fine print. AMD can be either dry or wet.
Dry AMD is the most common form of this condition. It occurs when yellow deposits build up on the macula, resulting in vision distortion. Wet AMD is more serious but only accounts for about 10% of all AMD cases. It occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow in the macula. People who have wet AMD usually lose their vision faster than those with dry AMD.
People in their 60s and 70s are those who have the highest risk of getting AMD. Experts think the condition may run in families, so be prepared if you have a relative who has dealt with AMD. The most common symptom of wet AMD is wavey, blurred vision. Dry AMD can be more difficult to spot. It’s commonly mistaken for other eye conditions like cataracts and glaucoma.
This is why it’s so important that you visit your eye doctor regularly. You won’t know whether you have AMD or not for sure until you get it looked at by a doctor. If you don’t have AMD, then consider taking action now to make sure that it stays that way. You can reduce your risk of developing AMD by:
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There isn’t a known cure for AMD. However, an eye doctor can limit the progression of the condition. For example, if you have wet AMD, a physician can utilize treatments called photodynamic therapy and laser photocoagulation. Your doctor may also prescribe medications that boost the effectiveness of treatments like these.
Dealing with AMD is challenging enough on its own. The last thing you want to do is worry about whether your Medicare insurance will cover the costs of treatment. Thankfully, Medicare Part B can cover the costs of diagnostic tests, medications, and treatments related to age-related macular degeneration.
To learn whether your insurance will cover these things, get in touch with a partnered licensed agent at Time for 65. They can tell you everything that you need to know about using Medicare to deal with AMD. You can get started today by filling out this form or giving us a call. We look forward to hearing from you.
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