Today is World Sight Day – a day to bring attention to blindness, eye diseases, and vision impairment!
One of the most common conditions affecting the eye is age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It is a progressive eye disease that causes the macula – the part of the retina that helps us see fine details – to deteriorate. AMD is one of the leading causes of vision loss in older Americans, affecting as many as 11 million people.
The painless disease does not always present immediate symptoms. Some people are diagnosed with AMD and may not experience vision loss for a while, but if the disease is left untreated, it can lead to the loss of sharp, central vision or legal blindness.
To raise awareness of AMD, the Alliance has partnered with BrightFocus Foundation to launch an educational campaign, called “Take a Closer Look at AMD.” The campaign highlights the importance of regular eye exams, the symptoms of AMD, treatment options, and ways you can protect your sight.
If you are interested in learning more about AMD, our health information page on the disease provides useful information – including an AMD brochure, a quiz that tests your “Eye-Q,” and a macular degeneration toolkit.
