Age-related macular degeneration, also known as AMD, is one of the leading causes of blindness among Canadians today.

 

According to the Canadian Ophthalmological Society, the AMD affects around two million people in the country, and accounts for 90 per cent of new cases of legal blindness in Canada.

 

Retina specialist Doctor Nupura Bakshi says it’s important for people to get regular eye exams to get screened for AMD, especially if you’re 50 or older, as symptoms may not begin appearing until the condition has advanced significantly.

 

“In the beginning stages, people may have no symptoms at all and as the little clumps of protein or drusen collect, you might start to notice a little bit of blurring of vision or you might just notice that things feel a little bit distorted. It really affects central vision, not peripheral vision so people may lose the sharp, straight ahead vision that is responsible and needed for driving, reading and looking at fine details.”

 

While there is no cure for age-related macular degeneration, there are a number of treatment options available to patients to help them manage the condition.

 

Listen to Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon for the full interview with Bakshi.