More than two-thirds of Americans aged 55+ had an eye exam in the last year to maintain their vision, yet 80 percent don’t know that age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is a leading cause of vision loss in people over 60, according to a new national survey.
The survey, conducted by Opinion Research Corporation, also found that only 46 percent of respondents could correctly identify the risk factors for this serious, progressive eye disease and just half could identify any one symptom. Even more alarming is that of the 24 percent of people who are familiar with AMD, only 31 percent know that treatment options exist.
Approximately 15 million people in the United States have AMD, and more than 1.7 million Americans have the advanced form of the disease, known as wet AMD, which is more than cases of glaucoma and cataracts combined. About 200,000 new cases of wet AMD are diagnosed each year in North America. As a result of the aging Baby Boomer population, the National Eye Institute estimates that the prevalence of advanced AMD will grow to nearly 3 million by the end of the next decade.
About Age-Related Macular Degeneration
AMD occurs when the macula – the central portion of the retina that is important for reading and color vision – becomes damaged. There are two forms of AMD – wet and dry. All cases begin as the dry form, but 10 to 15 percent progress to the more serious wet form, which can result in sudden and severe central vision loss. Without treatment, central vision can be lost over time, leaving only peripheral, or side vision.
Additional information about AMD is available at www.eyeonamd.com
The survey, conducted by Opinion Research Corporation, also found that only 46 percent of respondents could correctly identify the risk factors for this serious, progressive eye disease and just half could identify any one symptom. Even more alarming is that of the 24 percent of people who are familiar with AMD, only 31 percent know that treatment options exist.
Approximately 15 million people in the United States have AMD, and more than 1.7 million Americans have the advanced form of the disease, known as wet AMD, which is more than cases of glaucoma and cataracts combined. About 200,000 new cases of wet AMD are diagnosed each year in North America. As a result of the aging Baby Boomer population, the National Eye Institute estimates that the prevalence of advanced AMD will grow to nearly 3 million by the end of the next decade.
About Age-Related Macular Degeneration
AMD occurs when the macula – the central portion of the retina that is important for reading and color vision – becomes damaged. There are two forms of AMD – wet and dry. All cases begin as the dry form, but 10 to 15 percent progress to the more serious wet form, which can result in sudden and severe central vision loss. Without treatment, central vision can be lost over time, leaving only peripheral, or side vision.
Additional information about AMD is available at www.eyeonamd.com