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Según una nueva investigación, la mala calidad del aire aumenta el riesgo de DMRE

New research suggests living in a city with poor air quality increases your chance of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD)—a leading cause of blindness. The study, published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, found that residents of highly polluted areas were at least 8% more likely to be diagnosed with AMD than residents of less polluted areas.

AMD develops when the macula, the part of the eye responsible for central vision, is damaged.

How does air pollution cause eye problems?

“This new study shows an association between air pollution and AMD risk, but we still don't know the mechanism involved,” said Raj Maturi, MD, clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “We do know that increased inflammation can increase risk of dry macular degeneration, and pollutants increase inflammatory responses.”

How do I know if I have age-related macular degeneration?

Symptoms include loss of central vision, blurry vision or seeing "wavy" lines.

During the early phases of AMD, people often notice no changes to their vision. Because of this, getting your eyes checked regularly by an ophthalmologist is critical. 

Lower your risk of vision loss from macular degeneration

While some factors may be out of your control, there are several lifestyle changes you can make to lower your risk of vision loss from AMD. These healthy habits include not smoking, eating an eye-healthy diet and exercising regularly.

“We know that our genetics can contribute to almost half the risk of macular degeneration in some people. We, of course can't change this—though there are drugs currently in research studies to address this,” said Dr. Maturi. “The risk factors that we can modify include smoking, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.”

Treatments for eye diseases like wet AMD are most effective with an early diagnosis. Make sure you get regular comprehensive eye examsto lower your risk of vision loss.

👁 Need an eye exam? – call us today!

Don’t let your vision get in the way. If you think your eyesight has recently changed or could be better, set an appointment with Eye Florida at 407-891-2010.

Fax: 407.891.8211 | www.eyeflorida.com

📍Main Clinic | 1330 Budinger Ave, Ste 200, St Cloud, FL 34769

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Escrito por Vered Hazanchuk

Revisado por Raj K Maturi MD
Source - AAO.com

No, never pop a stye. This can release bacteria and spread the infection to other parts of the eye. Use warm compresses several times per day to safely reduce and drain the stye. If it persists, see an ophthalmologist who may prescribe medication like antibiotics or drain the stye with surgery.

source: aao

Low vision is the term used to describe a significant visual impairment that can't be fully corrected with glasses, contact lenses, medication or eye surgery.

Low vision can include one or more of the following:

• A best-corrected visual acuity measurement of 20/70 or worse, in the better eye.

• Significant visual field loss. Blind spots and tunnel vision (the loss of your peripheral vision) are two examples of visual field loss.

• Legal blindness. In the United States, legal blindness is typically defined as 20/200 vision or worse, in the better eye, with the best possible vision correction. It can also include a field of view that is reduced to 20 degrees or less.

What causes low vision?

Many patients who have been diagnosed with low vision are interested in learning what has caused their condition. There are several reasons why this condition may develop. Common risk factors that increase one’s chances of developing low vision include:

• AMD (age-related macular degeneration) – as patients age, their vision can naturally change due to deterioration of the macula. Macular degeneration can impact the ability for patients to read, drive, and recognize others, often causing a blind spot to develop in the center of one’s vision.

• Glaucoma – glaucoma is an eye disorder that can cause damage to the optic nerve and result in vision loss. It is often a result of high internal fluid pressure in the eye caused by a build-up. Glaucoma is the second-leading cause of blindness to adults in the United States.

• RP (Reinitis pigmentosa) – damage to the light-sensitive cells in the eyes can destroy one’s night vision and peripheral vision. This inherited disease may develop in the teenager or early adult years and can lead to total blindness by 40.

• Amblyopia (lazy eye) – lazy eye is not due to an actual eye problem, but can develop in children and is often detected by the age of 6-years-old. Early diagnosis and correction can reverse this condition, but if left untreated, it can become impossible to address in adulthood.

• Diabetic retinopathy – patients with diabetes should work with their eyecare provider to ensure they are managing their condition properly to avoid diabetic retinopathy which can lead to total blindness without treatment.

• Cataracts – cataract result in cloudy vision and loss of vision over time. It may be caused by UV rays, genetics, disease, or injury. However, most patients who experience this condition are of advancing age may require surgery to address the problem.

• TBI (traumatic brain injury) – patients who have experienced a TBI may be at an increased risk of developing low vision, and should be assessed regularly by an eye physician to monitor their eye health.

Make sure to see your eye doctor before any eye condition becomes so serious that vision loss occurs.

If you think you need a low vision evaluation, please let us know. We would be happy to review your situation and help you arrange to see a low vision specialist. A low vision specialist is a eye care profession with specialized training in helping patients with low vision. Every patient is unique.

Resources and Links for People with Low Vision

https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/low-vision-resources

¿Qué es la baja visión?

La baja visión se refiere a una pérdida de visiónque no se puede corregir con tratamientos médicos o quirúrgicos ni con anteojosconvencionales. Una persona con baja visión tiene que aprender a adaptarse a su baja visión.

Las buenas noticias son: Que hay muchas formas de ayudar a que quienes tienen baja visión puedan seguir haciendo lo que es importante para ellos. Perder visión no significa renunciar a las actividades sino que puede significar aprender a realizarlas de otra manera.

La rehabilitación de la visión ayuda a los pacientes a aprender nuevas estrategias y encontrar nuevos dispositivos que pueden ayudarles.

source - all about vision, aao