Age-Related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month is Here

Posted by: Eye Health Northwest in Macular Degeneration on February 15, 2021

Have you ever heard of age-related macular degeneration (AMD)? Did you know that it is the main cause of blindness among Americans?

For adults 65 and older, it is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. Even though it is common as a result of aging, most people have not heard of AMD or know that it causes blindness.

To bring attention to AMD, February is Age-Related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month. The entire month is about educating and informing the public about the condition.

Keep reading to learn more about age-related macular degeneration!

What is age-related macular degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration is also known as macular degeneration. People develop AMD when the macula, a part of the retina, becomes damaged due to it breaking down.

The macula is the small part of the retina in the back of the eye that allows you to see tiny details and perform detail-oriented activities. Examples of detail-oriented activities include reading and driving.

What are the signs of age-related macular degeneration?

There are many signs associated with age-related macular degeneration. Some of them include having blurry vision, seeing dark spots, and noticing that your central vision isn’t working right.

AMD affects your ability to see different distances and things close up and take part in certain activities. If you have AMD, you might never be able to read, thread a needle, or drive because of how it impacts your vision.

Unlike other eye conditions, AMD does not affect your peripheral vision, but only your central vision. For example, you could see the car next to you, but not the one right in front of you.

Millions of Americans have age-related macular degeneration, and it is the leading cause of blindness for adults that are 65 and older. Adults with more serious cases of AMD are still able to see some things and can live their lives.

For most patients, the effects of AMD are pretty minimal.

How can I prevent or diagnose age-related macular degeneration?

The best way to prevent or diagnose age-related macular degeneration early on is to get frequent eye exams. With age, it is important to stick to the schedule that your eye doctor recommends.

Until age 60, most eye doctors recommend getting an eye exam every two years. For adults who are 60 and older, you should get annual eye exams.

Eye exams allow your doctor to see the different parts of the eye and detect any changes when they run various tests.

Diagnosing AMD early on will help you prevent it from progressing. If your age-related macular degeneration is not detected early on, it is more difficult to save your remaining vision. This is an important way to keep you from going blind.

While there is no cure for AMD, new treatments are being developed that make it easier for patients to live with AMD. These treatments let patients diagnosed with AMD preserve their remaining vision.

Do you think you have AMD? The best way to keep your eyes healthy is to have regular eye exams. Schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR now to see one of our eye doctors!


We Are Here For You
The safety of our patients, team members and our community is the highest priority at EyeHealth Northwest. Learn more about measures we are taking to keep you safe and what to expect during your visit.
learn more
Schedule an Appointment
Patient Portal
Pay Bill
contact us
Employment Opportunities
Review Us

Our Locations

Aloha
18345 SW Alexander St,
Suite A
Aloha, OR 97003
(503) 642-2505 see more
Glisan
6701 NE Glisan Street
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 255-2291 see more
Gresham
24601 SE Stark St.
Suite 245
Troutdale, OR 97060
(503) 255-2291 see more
Hillsboro
6111 NE Cornell Rd
Hillsboro, OR 97124
(503) 846-9400 see more
Lake Oswego
9 Monroe Parkway, Suite 160
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
(503) 636-2551 see more
Milwaukie
11086 SE Oak St
Milwaukie, OR 97222
(503) 656-4221 see more
Mt. Tabor
5935 SE Division St.
Portland, OR 97206
503 777-5546 see more
Newberg
2318 Portland Rd, Suite 300
Newberg, OR 97132
(503) 538-1341 see more
North Portland
3246 N. Lombard St.
Portland, OR 97217
(503) 285-1671 see more
Northwest Portland
1955 NW Northrup St
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 227-2020 see more
Oregon City
1306 Division St
Oregon City, OR 97045
(503) 656-4221 see more
Peterkort
9555 SW Barnes Rd.
#100 (1rst floor)
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 227-2020 see more
Providence Portland
5050 NE Hoyt St., Suite 445
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 231-0166 see more
Providence St. Vincent
9135 SW Barnes Rd., Suite 961
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 292-0848 see more
Southeast Portland
10819 SE Stark St,
Portland, OR 97216
(503) 255-2291 see more
Sunnyside
12050 SE Stevens Rd, Suite 100
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(503) 783-3300 see more
Tigard
15298 SW Royalty Parkway
Tigard OR 97224
(503) 227-2020 see more
Wilsonville
29250 SW Town Center Loop W
Wilsonville, OR 97070
(503) 582-0000 see more
Westside Surgery Center
13240 SW Pacific Hwy
Portland, OR 97223
(503) 639-6571 see more
EyeHealth Eastside Surgery and Laser Center
12050 SE Stevens Rd.
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(971) 206-6100 see more

Our Locations

Aloha
18345 SW Alexander St,
Suite A
Aloha, OR 97003
(503) 642-2505 see more
Glisan
6701 NE Glisan Street
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 255-2291 see more
Gresham
24601 SE Stark St.
Suite 245
Troutdale, OR 97060
(503) 255-2291 see more
Hillsboro
6111 NE Cornell Rd
Hillsboro, OR 97124
(503) 846-9400 see more
Lake Oswego
9 Monroe Parkway, Suite 160
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
(503) 636-2551 see more
Milwaukie
11086 SE Oak St
Milwaukie, OR 97222
(503) 656-4221 see more
Mt. Tabor
5935 SE Division St.
Portland, OR 97206
503 777-5546 see more
Newberg
2318 Portland Rd, Suite 300
Newberg, OR 97132
(503) 538-1341 see more
North Portland
3246 N. Lombard St.
Portland, OR 97217
(503) 285-1671 see more
Northwest Portland
1955 NW Northrup St
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 227-2020 see more
Oregon City
1306 Division St
Oregon City, OR 97045
(503) 656-4221 see more
Peterkort
9555 SW Barnes Rd.
#100 (1rst floor)
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 227-2020 see more
Providence Portland
5050 NE Hoyt St., Suite 445
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 231-0166 see more
Providence St. Vincent
9135 SW Barnes Rd., Suite 961
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 292-0848 see more
Southeast Portland
10819 SE Stark St,
Portland, OR 97216
(503) 255-2291 see more
Sunnyside
12050 SE Stevens Rd, Suite 100
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(503) 783-3300 see more
Tigard
15298 SW Royalty Parkway
Tigard OR 97224
(503) 227-2020 see more
Wilsonville
29250 SW Town Center Loop W
Wilsonville, OR 97070
(503) 582-0000 see more
Surgery Centers

Westside Surgery Center

13240 SW Pacific Hwy
Portland, OR 97223
(503) 639-6571 see more

EyeHealth Eastside Surgery and Laser Center

12050 SE Stevens Rd.
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(971) 206-6100 see more