February is Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Low Vision Awareness Month

When you think of all the things you need to keep track of in order to stay healthy, do your eyes come to the top of the list?

If not, they should!

Sonomed Escalon is pleased to support and promote February as Low Vision Awareness Month by encouraging people to protect their vision and their health.

What is Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)?

AMD is a disorder of the macula. The macula is the part of your retina where your central and color vision comes from. AMD is a complex disorder where degenerative protein/lipids deposit under the retina. These deposits are seen in early macular degeneration. As the disease progresses, the structural support system of the retina breaks down and can allow abnormal blood vessels to grow, or leak fluid and further disrupt the retinal cells. If these blood vessels grow in the macula then you will lose your central.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness among older Americans, but new treatments have dramatically changed the course of this disease over the last 10 years, making AMD more manageable than ever before.

During AMD and Low Vision Awareness Month in February, the Sonomed Escalon is reminding people with AMD that they can save their vision thanks to recent treatment advances, but early detection is a critical first step.