Common Risk Factors for Macular Degeneration 

/0 Comments/in /by

Did you know that macular degeneration is among the leading causes of vision loss? You may not be able to prevent it. But knowing if you have risk factors for it can help ensure you’re tested for it and treated as needed. At Lappen Eye Care, our optometrists in Pittsburgh, Greensburg, South Hills, and McMurray, PA, offer testing and treatment for this disease. We’ll go over the risk factors that could increase your chance of having this condition.

What Is Macular Degeneration?

This is an eye disease that can cause vision loss in the central part of your eye due to changes in the macula. You can have this in just one eye or both eyes. Having any of the following risk factors can put you at a higher risk of having it.

Getting Older

Your chance of developing macular degeneration increases with age. People in their 50s and up are at an increased risk of getting this condition.

Having a Family History of This Condition

Does it run in your family? This is another common risk factor that can raise your risk of macular degeneration.

Being a Smoker

Smoking can lead to a higher chance of damage to your eyes, including macula damage that affects your central vision.

Having Hypertension

Uncontrolled high blood pressure and a diet that includes a lot of saturated fats can increase your risk of macular degeneration.

Schedule Medical Eye Care Today!

Do you need to be tested for eye diseases, like macular degeneration? Or do you need treatment? At Lappen Eye Care, we offer testing and treatment for macular degeneration in Pittsburgh, Greensburg, South Hills, and McMurray, PA. Our optometrists can take steps to protect your vision as you get older!

Tips for Reducing Your Risk of Macular Degeneration

/0 Comments/in , /by

Do you have trouble seeing in low light conditions? Or is your vision blurry? These are possible signs of an eye disease known as macular degeneration. It mostly occurs as people age, but you can also get it earlier. Our optometrists in Pittsburgh, PA, at Lappen Eye Care provide care for this condition when needed. But you may be able to reduce your risk of this disease with the following tips.

Watch Your Blood Pressure

High blood pressure increases your risk of developing this disease. Work on maintaining healthy blood pressure levels to protect your eyes and vision, such as exercising, limiting unhealthy foods, and taking blood pressure medication if needed.

Stay Within a Healthy Weight Range

Being overweight is another risk factor for having macular degeneration. If you have excess weight, try to lose those pounds through healthy eating and physical activity.

Give Up Cigarettes

Do you smoke? Being a smoker boosts your chance of having macular degeneration and other eye problems, especially as you get older. Make an effort to quit smoking to lower your risk of developing harmful eye conditions.

Follow the Mediterranean Diet

Studies show that this diet helps lower the risk of age-related macular degeneration. Include staples of this diet, such as leafy vegetables, salmon, whole grains, and nuts, in your meal plans to give your eyes added protection from this disease.

Schedule Eye Care in Pittsburgh!

Are you concerned about having macular degeneration or other eye conditions? Routine eye exams at Lappen Eye Care can help us catch these conditions early! We offer macular degeneration treatment in Pittsburgh, PA, along with treatment for other eye diseases. Make an appointment at one of our locations in Pittsburgh, Greensburg, South Hills, or McMurray.

Can Diet Help You Avoid AMD?

/0 Comments/in , /by

While it can be difficult (to the point of impossible) to connect diet to help, there are strong links that it helps to know about. Generally, eating better can reduce your risk of most health disorders. However, if you have a family history of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in South Hills, PA, a condition that can lead to total blindness over time, we’ll look at what the research says about diet and AMD.

What to Eat

Here’s what you should know about AMD and diet:

  • Leafy greens: Veggies high in carotenoids are good for shielding the macula from all kinds of environmental threats (namely, the sun).
  • Fish: Acids like omega-3s, found in fatty types of fish, work great against inflammation, which can soothe the eye even when it’s under stress.
  • Broccoli: Anything high in antioxidants essentially protects the cells from damage. Broccoli, potatoes, and avocados all fall under this header.

The general requirements shouldn’t be surprising to anyone who’s trying to lead a healthier lifestyle. Anything from whole grains to healthy fats can reduce the odds of eye damage. Plus, as a bonus, it can improve your mood and help you feel better on a day-to-day basis.

Why Eye Exams in South Hills, PA

There is no such thing as staving off all disease, even if you can improve your odds by changing your habits. Catching AMD may not solve the issue entirely, but it may be able to slow the progression. That’s why it’s important to visit your optometrist in South Hills on a regular basis. As you age, the eye changes, and even if that change is slow, a trained eye can spot the differences.

Could You Have Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

/0 Comments/in /by

AMD, short for age-related macular degeneration, is a disease affecting the eyes that can cause blurriness in your central line of vision. The macula of your eye controls how well you see what is directly in front of you.

AMD is a top cause of vision loss among older adults. While this condition does not cause blindness, weak central vision affects your ability to drive, read, or see faces clearly. The condition usually develops slowly over many years, but some people experience a sudden onset of symptoms and rapid advancement.

People with early AMD often do not know it because they experience no symptoms at first. By getting routine eye exams in Pittsburgh, PA, you can catch AMD early while still in the most treatable stage.

AMD Types

Most people who receive a diagnosis of AMD have the dry type. Dry AMD occurs due to the macula thinning with age, and it usually takes several years to advance to the late stage. No treatment is available once it reaches this point, but our optometrists will work with you to make the most of the vision you have left.

Wet AMD is not as common, but it progresses faster than dry AMD and is always at a late stage at the time of diagnosis. This type of AMD causes abnormal blood vessel growth that results in damage to the macula.

Common Signs of AMD

AMD is progressive and has early, intermediate, and late stages. Most people notice no symptoms until the intermediate stage of dry AMD. Some notice that they have difficulty seeing in dim lighting conditions and that their vision seems mildly blurry.

People who have late stage wet AMD report blurriness and that lines that should be straight appear crooked or wavy. Colors seem duller as well. Please schedule an appointment with our optometry practice in Pittsburgh, PA right away if you notice any of these symptoms.