LEADING CAUSE OF BLINDNESS

What is the leading cause of blindness in Canada?

The leading cause of blindness in Canada is called Senile Macular Degeneration (SMD) or Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD.)  This pathology is associated with the retina.

SMD is the root cause of 33% of all cases that result in blindness.

What happens to the eye?

SMD is a degenerative eye disease which results in the deterioration of the macula (central part of the retina) causing the patient to have loss of sharp central vision.

Normal Vision and Vision with AMD

How bad can it get?

The vision directly in front of you (central vision) is gone.  The loss of vision is permanent and irreversible.

What does a patient experience?

        Damage to the macula results in a patient having reduced colour perception and contrast.  A patient

        may start to have difficulty reading,  driving  and recognizing  faces.  Peripheral vision remains intact, however, central vision becomes impaired.

How long does this take?

The short answer is that it can happen very quickly or take its time.  If it progresses slowly, it can take many years to reach a critical point.  And if it happens very quickly, a patient may experience vision loss from as little as a few weeks to a few months.

Who does this affect?

Generally this condition affects people 55 years of age and older.  This disease affects both eyes (bilateral) and progressively gets worse.  Given the demographics of an ageing population in Canada, the number of people who will get this disease is expected to double in the next 25 years.

Who is at risk for getting AMD?

        There are 4  factors that predisposes a patient for getting AMD

1.       Age:   greatest risk factor as the older a patient gets, chance of getting AMD increases

                                Greatly.

2.       Family History:  If there is a history of AMD in your family, your chance of acquiring the disease is increased if your parent or sibling has had it.

3.       Gender:  Studies have shown women are at a higher risk of getting AMD.

4.       Race:  Studies have shown that AMD occurs in Caucasians more frequently than

Any other race

What factors can you control from getting AMD?

There are always things that are in your control that can help prevent this disease.  The following 5 factors can help save you from this disease:

1.       Smoking:  Smokers have a greater likelihood of getting AMD—up to four times the risk

As non-smokers.

2.       Diet:  Studies have shown that your diet can help you reduce the chance of developing this disease.  A diet rich in dark, green leafy vegetables and berries can lower the risk.  These foods contain Carotenoids such as Lutein and Zeaxanthin which are healthy for you and prevent AMD from occurring.

3.       Sunlight Exposure:  Excessive exposure to the sun may cause damage of the macula

This is caused by exposure to the blue wavelengths in sunlight.  Prevention includes remaining in the shade, wearing a sunhat and sunglasses

4.       ‘Junk’ Food:  Consumption of  fat found in junk food that  include linoleic acid, monounsaturated oils  can double the risk of getting AMD.

5.       High Blood Pressure:  Hypertension has been found to be a contributing factor of AMD.