Ophthalmologists Urge Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

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Apr 10, 2013, 12:59 ET

Eye disease of the retina is leading cause of vision loss for people over 65

SAN FRANCISCO, April 3, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) continues to be the leading cause of visual impairment in the United States for people over age 65, according to a study recently published online in Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. AMD is a potentially blinding disease that affects more than 9.1 million Americans.[1] This study, which tracked vision loss in relation to eye disease and treatment response in nearly 5,000 patients over a 20-year period, showed that despite the recent discovery of sight-saving drugs and advances in disease prevention, AMD still causes severe vision loss in approximately 15 percent of Americans 85 and older.

AMD is a disease that damages the retina, which is the light sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that focuses images and relays them to the brain. Over time this retinal damage can lead to permanent loss of central vision, which is essential for driving, reading and recognizing faces. Usually AMD has no early warning signs; therefore regular screening by an ophthalmologist – a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, medical and surgical treatment of eye diseases – is critical to ensure early detection and treatment. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that everyone obtain a baseline eye examination at age 40.

"This study paints a clearer picture of key threats to older Americans' vision, such as AMD," said Ronald Klein, M.D., the lead researcher for the Beaver Dam Eye Study conducted at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. "It is especially relevant for health care planners, who face a tripling of the elderly population in the U.S. More people than ever will live into their seventh, eighth or ninth decades, the very years when they'll be most vulnerable to age-related eye diseases."

Good Vision Supports Seniors' Health and Well Being
Healthy vision is essential to seniors' ability to enjoy a good quality of life. From maintaining the ability to read and drive to reducing the risk of injury from falls and other accidents, keeping eyes healthy into advanced age is crucial.

After age 65, the Academy recommends eye exams every one to two years or as directed by an ophthalmologist. Many people in this age group may qualify for free or no out-of-pocket cost eye exams and treatment through EyeCare America, a public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. EyeCare America matches qualifying patients with a nearby ophthalmologist, who provides a comprehensive, dilated eye examination. EyeCare America is made possible through the generous support of the Knights Templar Foundation, Alcon and Genentech. To see if you or a loved one is eligible, visit www.eyecareamerica.org.

Hope in Sight: an AMD Resource Available at No Charge
The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Retina Specialists, an organization of ophthalmologists who specialize in AMD treatment, have partnered with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Bayer HealthCare to produce Hope in Sight: Living with Macular Degeneration, which features Days of our Lives star Deirdre Hall speaking about her personal experience with her mother's AMD. The DVD is available free of charge on EyeSmart, the Academy's public information website, in English or Spanish-language versions.

Note to media: Contact Media Relations to request the full text of the study and arrange interviews with experts

About the American Academy of Ophthalmology
The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world's largest association of eye physicians and surgeons — Eye M.D.s— with nearly 32,000 members worldwide. Eye health care is provided by the three "O's" – ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians. It is the ophthalmologist, or Eye M.D., who can treat it all: eye diseases, infections and injuries, and perform eye surgery. For more information, visit www.aao.org. The Academy's EyeSmart® program educates the public about the importance of eye health and empowers them to preserve healthy vision. EyeSmart provides the most trusted and medically accurate information about eye diseases, conditions and injuries. OjosSanos™ is the Spanish-language version of the program. Visit www.geteyesmart.org or www.ojossanos.org to learn more.

About EyeCare America
Established in 1985, EyeCare America, a public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, is committed to the preservation of sight, accomplishing its mission through public service and education. EyeCare America provides year-round eye care services to medically underserved seniors and those at increased risk for eye disease through its corps of nearly 7,000 volunteer ophthalmologists dedicated to serving their communities. More than 90 percent of the care made available is provided at no out-of-pocket cost to the patients. Since its inception, EyeCare America has helped more than 1.7 million people. More information can be found at: www.eyecareamerica.org.

About Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology, the official journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, publishes original, peer-reviewed reports on ophthalmic research, including basic science investigations, clinical studies, and translational science reviews. Topics include new diagnostic and treatment approaches, innovations in surgical technique, clinical trial results, economic and quality of life analyses, and implications of health care reform. Ophthalmology is one of the most respected journals in medicine, with the highest impact factor of the major journals serving ophthalmology. A new editorial board was appointed in January 2013. Academy members can now read the journal on their iPads, after accessing the app via the journal's home page.

[1]Macular Degeneration Association - http://www.maculardegenerationassociation.org/aboutmd/facts.aspx

SOURCE American Academy of Ophthalmology