Need for Macular Degeneration Awareness with Aging Population Growth

VALPARAISO, IN, January 25, 2013 (Press-News.org) "At Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center our eye doctors continue to spend considerable efforts educating patients about their risk factors for macular degeneration as well as the symptoms of macular degeneration so as to encourage regular eye exams-especially for patients over 50. Given our aging population growth we want to do all we can to help patients get access to early detection, diagnosis and treatment of macular degeneration so we can avoid any vision loss and especially catastrophic vision loss from macular degeneration," explained Ophthalmologist Scott Buck, M.D. "Our day to day clinical experience in northwest Indiana parallels the national data that indicates that more than 2 million people over the age of 50 are affected by late AMD, which represents a 25% increase since 2000-that's a meaningful increase," said Dr. Buck.

Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of visual impairment and blindness in Americans older than 50. Although AMD is incurable, with early detection and diagnosis there are a number of treatment options that have proven to prevent further vision loss from the disease and in many cases may actually help recover some lost vision.

"It is really important for all patients older than 50 to have a comprehensive, dilated eye examination every one to two years so that we can detect any signs of AMD as early as possible. However, if anyone in your family has macular degeneration we want to see you more often. With early detection and diagnosis we can help preserve vision," advised Dr. Buck. "What we want to be sure of is that if you are at risk for "Wet" AMD-which is characterized by the growth of abnormal retinal blood vessels that leak blood or fluid-we want to get you treated with Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) inhibitor injections such as Lucentis as soon as possible. With timely treatment we can stop and pretty much reverse the abnormal blood vessel growth and at a minimum prevent further vision loss and often actually improve vision," Dr. Buck explained.

Patients can also help to decrease their risk of developing age related macular degeneration (AMD) by not smoking, moderating alcohol consumption to less than 15g per day, eating a heart-healthy diet rich in fish, fruit and green leafy vegetables, avoiding foods with trans fats, exercising and controlling blood pressure and weight.

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center is conveniently located for patients seeking eye care from throughout northern Indiana including La Porte, Mishawaka, South Bend, Michigan City, Crown Point, Merrillville, Chesterton, South Haven, Westville, Hebron, Lowell, Valparaiso and Walkerton as well as Chicago, Illinois suburban areas of Frankfurt, Calumet City, Monee and Crete.

To learn more about Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center or to schedule a macular degeneration eye exam you may call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 866-522-3937, visit http://www.nwindianaeyeandlaser.com or http://www.facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser or follow our eye care blog at http://indiana-eye-cataract-lasik.blogspot.com/.

SOURCE: Medical Management Services Group, L.L.C.
http://www.aboutcataractsurgery.com
http://www.seewithlasik.com

CONTACT: Kelley Connors, Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383, Phone: 866-522-3937 or email, kelley@drsbuck.com