Greensboro, NC -- Getting older means making difficult decisions when it comes to your daily routine. If you're still in your prime, you might be the one bringing up some of those big issues with your aging parents. Driving is one of them.
Eye surgeon Michael Cooney explained how one of the main reasons older adults don't get behind the wheel-- their eye health.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an increasing, but preventable problem. It is a chronic condition that causes central vision loss and is the leading cause of blindness in Americans 60 and older.
According to www.amdawareness.org, some of the symptoms include:
- Straight lines or faces appearing wavy
- Doorways seeming crooked
- Objects appearing smaller or farther away
Risk factors include:
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
Some of the same factors that put you at risk for heart attack and stroke can contribute to eye health depreciation. Low levels of minerals such as zinc and vitamins can also increase your risk.
There are risk factors you cannot control: age, family history, gender, race. The American Society of Retina Specialists report AMD is more likely to affect women and older caucasian adults.
Watch the attached video with eye surgeon Michael Cooney.
For more information on resources and specialists check out the AMD Awareness site.