At Eye Centers of Florida, we like to make sure patients are aware of some of the most common eye diseases and conditions for which they may be at risk.

February is AMD awareness month. Here’s everything you need to know about this common eye condition, and how you can save on preventative care today.

The macula is the most sensitive part of the retina, which is why it tends to deteriorate more quickly than other eye structures. When Age-related Macular Degeneration occurs, your eyes’ ability to send signals through the optical nerves and produce vision is damaged. A sign of AMD is a dark, blurry area in the center of the vision field that grows as the condition worsens.

What Are the Risk Factors for AMD?

There are several signs that you may be at a greater risk to develop AMD as you age:

•  Genetic predisposition: If you have a family history of AMD, you may be at greater risk of developing it yourself
•  Race: Caucasians are at higher risk for AMD than African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians, or other races and ethnic groups
•  Lifestyle choices:A full list of the factors that can raise and lower the risk of AMD is not clear, but smoking is a behavior that can greatly heighten the chance that you’ll develop it as you age

How Can you Prevent AMD?

Age-related Macular Degeneration is not easily treated, but you can lower your risk. Of course, you won’t be able to change your race or your family history, but you can make certain lifestyle choices to support your eye health and at the very least, slow down the progression of the disease. These changes include:

• Stop smoking
• Eat a healthy diet to maintain healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels
• Exercise regularly

Fortunately, a simple eye exam can detect the presence and development of AMD. Regular eye exams are important because with conditions like AMD, glaucoma, and others, symptoms can manifest and threaten your vision before you even notice them.

That’s why we’re giving you the perfect reason to come in. Click to redeem a coupon for a comprehensive eye exam for only $99 and get peace of mind from the expert eye care team at Eye Centers of Florida!