Abstracted by Sheila Kun RN, BA, BSN, MS

As we get older, we have more issues with vision. Hence, starting this week, I am going to gather information for you on the types of common eye problems encountered from the CDC. The following is its abstract.

More than 4.2 million Americans aged 40 years and older are either legally blind* or are with low vision** in the better-seeing eye, excluding those who were categorized as being blind).

The leading causes of blindness and low vision in the United States are primarily age-related eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. Other common eye disorders include amblyopia and strabismus.

Early Symptoms: None
Later Symptoms: Loss of central vision, blurry or wavy areas in your central vision, drusen. (yellow deposits under the retina)

Macular degeneration, often called age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is an eye disorder associated with aging and results in damaging sharp and central vision. Central vision is needed for seeing objects clearly and for common daily tasks such as reading and driving. AMD affects the macula, the central part the retina that allows the eye to see fine details.

Next week, we will find out what drusens are. I like to take this opportunity to have a better understanding of all the conditions related to our eyes, then further explore the two types of macular degeneration in the subsequent week. 

Your homework from the Care Ministry this week: are the above described medical conditions familiar to you? If not, stay in tuned!

Love to hear from you: kunlouis@gmail.com