Macular Degeneration - Healthy Choices

<body bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <meta name="keywords" content= "macular degeneration, Healthy Choices, treatment, public education, blindness, eye, grants, resources, doctor, Amsler Grid, test, sunglasses, American Health Assistance Foundation"> <meta name="Description" content="Healthy choices concerning macular degeneration.""> <p align="center"><font size="5"><b><font size="7">Macular Degeneration Research</font></b></font> <p align="center"> <font size="5">Your browser cannot view frames, so please visit our <a href="../../text_index/text_macular/text_mhealth.htm">no-frames </a> section for more information on healthy choices. The no-frames section is also designed to be accessible for person's with disabilities.</font> <p align="center"> <a href="../../index.html" target="_top"><font size="3">Home Page</font></a> | <a href="maabout.htm" target="_top">About Macular Degeneration</a> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p><a name="Doctor"></a> <h3>Visit Your Doctor</h3> <p>It is very important to have regular eye examinations. This is especially important if you have any of the risk factors associated with macular degeneration. You may have macular degeneration without noticing any symptoms if only one eye is affected. Early diagnosis and treatment may help control wet macular before vision loss or blindness occurs. People under age 65 should have an eye exam at least every two years; for those over 65, once per year is recommended. <p><a href="#Top">Go to Top</a> <p> <p> <h3><a name="Amsler"></a>Home Test for Macular Degeneration Symptoms</h3> <p>The Amsler Grid is a tool to help detect early signs of retinal disease and in monitoring changes in vision after a diagnosis has been made. It should not in any way substitute for the advice of a qualified health care professional and it is not intended to constitute medical advice. <p><b>Directions:</b> <br> <br> <table border="0" width="600" cellspacing="3" cellpadding="3" vspace="0" hspace="0"> <tr> <td height="215"> <p> Wear your reading glasses or bifocals. <ol> <li>Cover one eye with your hand without putting pressure on the eye. </li> <li>Look at the dot in the center of the grid. </li> <li>Do not let your eye drift from the center. </li> <li>All of the lines should appear straight and all of the boxes should appear to be the same size and shape. There should be no distortion on the grid. If any of the lines are missing, or they appear to be crooked, bent, wavy, or discolored, you should contact your physician immediately for an examination. </li> <li>Do the same test with your other eye. </li> </ol> </td> <td height="215"><img src="amslergrid.gif" width="283" height="283"></td> </tr> </table> <p><a href="#top">Go to Top</a> <p> <h3><a name="Protect"></a>Protect Your Eyes From the Sun</h3> <p>While excessive exposure to sunlight has not been proven to be a cause of macular degeneration, some researchers believe that sunlight plays a role in converting oxygen molecules in the eye to a harmful form. Wearing sunglasses or brimmed hats while outside can't hurt, and it may prove to be beneficial.</p> <p><a href="#Top" >Go to Top</a> </p> <div align="center"><a href="../../index.html" target="_top">Home Page</a> </div> </body>