Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) is the predominant cause of blindness in developed countries. Day in and day out we know there is one phrase patients do not want to hear: “you have macular degeneration.” However we also know that early detection and treatment are keys to maintaining vision. We are pleased to add the AdaptDx Pro to our office so we can detect ARMD at its earliest stages.
This patient has wet macular degeneration which is what we are trying to prevent.
The AdaptDx Pro allows us to detect macular degeneration before a patient has noticed any problems and before the doctor can see damage occurring. The test is simple, does not require eye drops and takes as little as 5 minutes.
According to a 2017 study published in JAMA Ophthalmology, 25% of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) cases go undetected—even with regular examinations using current imaging tools. That’s a scary thought for patients but even scarier for eye doctors who are doing their best but still missing one out of every four cases.
The numbers become more alarming when we add in the role of genetics. This Medscape article indicates folks are at more than 25x the risk of developing ARMD when a parent has the disease and 12x the risk when a sibling suffers from macular degeneration.
Who should be concerned? The most common risk factors for ARMD are: being over 50 years old, Caucasian (white) and having a family history of macular degeneration. Smoking is the #1 modifiable risk factor. You can’t change your age, ethnicity or family history but you can decide whether or not to smoke. We understand it can be extremely difficult to quit but this is one more very good reason to stop smoking.
We’re committed to staying at the forefront of technology to help you maintain good vision for life.