February is Low Vision and Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Awareness Month, designated by the American Academy of Ophthalmology to encourage people to seek help when they notice changes to their vision. AMD is a leading cause of vision loss for older adults, with around one out of three people age 75 and older diagnosed nationally. AMD affects about 11.5% of all Wisconsinites. As people continue to live longer, more and more individuals are being diagnosed with AMD, and the number of people with AMD is expected to double by 2050. While there is no cure for AMD, it can be treated, and the earlier you are diagnosed the longer you can preserve your vision.
AMD affects the center of your retina and can appear as a dark or blind spot in the center of your vision. While most people with AMD do not lose their vision completely, severe cases can result in the loss of most or all of your vision. Because AMD affects the center of your vision, it can make almost every task more difficult, from driving to reading to recognizing faces.
If caught early enough, doctors can diagnose you with AMD before you even notice any changes to your vision. Having regular dilated eye exams every one-to-two years can help doctors catch AMD early, meaning they can begin treatment soon enough to potentially prevent significant vision loss. But it’s critical to contact your eye doctor as soon as you start to notice changes in your vision. One telltale sign that you should call a doctor is if you begin to have issues with daily living activities, such as reading mail or pill bottles. If you have difficulty seeing in low light, regularly experience blurry vision, detect changes in how you see colors, or notice straight lines beginning to curve, call your doctor and schedule an eye exam.
In addition to working with your eye doctor, it is important to reach out to a vision rehabilitation therapist or low vision therapist to help you continue to live independently. While doctors can provide a diagnosis and potential treatment, vision rehabilitation low vision therapists can provide you with strategies for making the most of the remaining vision that you have. These therapists can also teach non-visual skills to help you stay independent if your vision becomes unusable. Doctors and therapists can work in tandem to maximize your independence.
Sometimes all someone needs are slight changes to how they read or see through lighting adjustments, improved contrast on written materials, and magnification. The rehabilitation therapist may also connect you with an access technology specialist to teach you how to use accessibility features on your computer or smartphone, like magnification and improved contrast. Or they may encourage you to see an orientation and mobility specialist to help you learn to move safely through your home and community. You don’t need to have a formal vision diagnosis to take action. Getting early help from a vision rehabilitation team, such as that at the Council, can help you navigate some of the challenges that come with vision loss and allow you to stay safe, happy and independent.
If you have noticed changes in your vision, the Council is here to help! You can contact us at Info@WCBlind.org or 608-255-1166.
