About AMD

What is AMD?

AMD stands for Age-Related Macular Degeneration. It is a progressive disease associated with aging that gradually destroys your central vision and impairs your ability to perform common daily tasks such as reading, driving or watching television. Central vision is controlled by a small but important part of your eye called the macula. The macula is what allows you to see fine details straight ahead of you. When your macula becomes affected, you are left with dim images or black holes in the centre of your vision. AMD is the leading cause of severe vision loss in adults over the age of 50. In fact, AMD alone affects more North Americans than breast cancer, prostate cancer, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease combined.

Will I Get AMD?

There are a number of factors that put you at increased risk of developing AMD:
  • Family history of AMD (the single most important risk factor)
  • Increasing age
  • Smoking
  • Obesity
  • Race (caucasian/white race at higher risk)
  • Gender (females appear to be at greater risk)
  • High blood pressure
  • High blood cholesterol
  • UV light exposure

 MaculaRisk_banner

MaculaRisk_banner

What About my Family?

AMD is a hereditary disease. This means that any child of an affected parent could inherit AMD. It does not mean that all children will inherit the disease, since inheriting the genes related to AMD is a matter of chance. Inheritance cannot be predicted, however it can be determined through genetic testing.

Macula Risk can help your family members determine their relative risk of losing their vision from AMD. The sooner they know their genetic predisposition, the sooner they can begin their own monitoring and treatment programs. Protect your family. Detection through genetic screening  is the first step to give you and your loved ones the best chance to prevent vision loss from AMD.