Age related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in older North Americans. Approximately 13 to 14 million Americans have some form of AMD. Unfortunately, with the aging of the baby boomer generation the number of people with AMD is expected to increase by 50 percent by the year 2020. Though a cure for AMD has not been found, options for managing this sometimes devastating disease continue to expand.

Thirty percent of people over age 75 have some form of AMD. If you currently have AMD, have a family history of AMD, or are age 60 or older it is important that you have your ocular health checked at least once a year during a full dilated eye exam with special attention to the macula. Recently developed treatments for AMD are more effective at slowing the progression and improving the vision of people with advanced AMD. Still, the most effective way to preserve your vision is to know when or if these treatments are needed. Also, remember smoking has been demonstrated to be the most consistant modifiable risk factor of AMD (in other words, don’t smoke!)

At Bishop Eye, Dr. Bishop and Johnson dilate the pupils of each patient during their complete yearly exam to further evaluate the macula for AMD, as well as all the other structures of the eye for any pathology.