Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss over the age of 50. It affects about 15 million men and women in the United States with about 200,000 new cases diagnosed each year. About 1.7 million U.S. citizens have the advanced form of the disease, projected to grow to 3 million by 2020. About 200 million people are affected worldwide. While it does not usually cause total blindness, ARMD is the leading cause of functional or legal blindness. Risk factors include: female gender, white race, family history, obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and smoking. 

In the latest issue of Worcester Medicine “Update in Ophthalmology”, Drs. Chang and Bradbury explain the differences between “dry” and “wet” macular degeneration and their associated symptoms, as well as how to diagnose and treat this potentially devastating condition. Click on the link to read the full article.

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