Older individuals should be sure to watch out for AMD

April 5, 2011

As many eye conditions are brought on with old age, it becomes increasingly important that the older someone gets, the more frequent their eye health exams are.

Eye health examinations are crucial for determining the risk of eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). According to the Mount Vernon News, although AMD does not lead to total blindness, it can blur central vision.

"I tell patients it's like the film in a camera," Chad Kauffman, an ophthalmologist at Central Ohio Eye Surgeons in Mount Vernon, told the news provider. "It's where we focus on things like faces and signs."

With more than 15 million Americans suffering from AMD, it's important that people have the recommended amount of eye health exams to ensure that the disease is not creeping on.

The American Optometric Association reports that adults ages 18 to 60 should have their eyes screened for diseases every one to two years, while people who are 61 and older should receive an eye care exam annually.