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AMD Explained: Who’s at Risk and How It Affects Vision

AMD Explained: Who’s at Risk and How It Affects Vision

You’ve probably heard of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). But what is it, who’s at risk, and how does it affect your vision? February is National Age-Related Macular Degeneration Month and also Low Vision Awareness Month. Since AMD is a significant cause of Low Vision, let’s dive in. Simply stated, AMD is a disease of the retina. It occurs when a critical part of the retina called the macula is damaged. It’s a common diagnosis in people over age 60 and the leading cause of severe vision loss in that age range ­­-- but only rarely does it lead to total blindness. Approximately 1 in 3 Americans over age 75 is affected by AMD. Although there is no cure,...