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Age-Related Macular Degeneration (commonly referred to as AMD) is the leading cause of sight loss for those aged over 50 in Ireland.Over 7,000 new cases of Age-Related Macular Degeneration are diagnosed every year in Ireland, often at a stage when damage has already been caused to vision.Early diagnosis by an eye care professional can allow for treatment and prevent any further deterioration.

AMD affects the macula– a small part of the eye responsible for central vision which allows you to see detail. It is located in the centre of the eye and from here information is passed to the brain where it is converted into a picture of what you are seeing. This central vision allows you to read, drive etc.  It usually starts in one eye and is likely to affect the other eye at a later stage.

Wet and Dry AMD

Dry AMD is the most common and it develops slowly. The exact causes are unknown but there is a definite link between smoking, high blood pressure and poor diet. Research has shown that vitamins such as MACUSHIELD can help reduce the risk of developing AMD.

Wet AMD is caused by leaky blood vessels inside the eye, it is less common (1 in 7 in Ireland with AMD) but it can cause more rapid loss of vision.

How does AMD affect vision?

The most obvious symptoms are DISTORTION and BLURRING in the centre of vision.

Testing for the early symptoms using The Amsler Grid

• Hold the grid at around 30cm in front of your eyes
• Use your reading glasses
• Cover one eye at a time and focus on the central dot
• Check that you can see all 4 corners
• If areas of the grid appear blurred, distorted you could be experiencing early signs of AMD

REMEMBER if you are over 50 and have not been to the Optician in the last 2 years you should seriously consider making an appointment now. If you think you are experiencing symptoms of AMD visit us in Sweeney’s Opticians within the next week- acting early could prevent further damage to your eyesight.

As part of AMD Awareness Week, SWEENEYS  OPTICIANS  are offering a FREE Age Related Macular Degeneration screening  from Monday 19th to Friday 23th September.

Why would you not avail of this service?

Please call SWEENEY’S OPTICIANS on 071-9169090 or email sweeneysopticians@gmail.com to arrange an appointment.

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• Plan your trip
• Do not drive if blood glucose is < 5mmol/l and or you feel hypoglycaemic
• Keep a supply of dextrose sweets or glucose drinks, fruit within easy reach in the vehicle
• Carry ID to show you have diabetes
• Be prepared for traffic delays
• Carry your glucose meter with you
• Check your blood glucose levels ever 2 hours while you are driving

If you suspect symptoms of low blood glucose whilst driving:

• Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so
• Switch off the engine, remove the keys and move to the passenger seat
• Treat your low blood glucose with fast acting glucose such as 100mls of Lucozade
• Retest your blood glucose after 10 minutes
• You should not start driving until 45 minutes after this has returned to normal

You must inform the Licensing Authority and your Insurance company if:

• You have diabetes and are being treated with Insulin or tablets, which carry a risk of inducing Hypoglycaemia
• Your diabetes treatment changes
• You experience severe hypoglycaemia while driving
• You or your medical team feels you are at high risk of developing hypoglycaemia
• You suffer more than one episode of severe hypoglycaemia within the last 12 months

Renewing your licence for a Class 1 Licence: (Cars and motor cycles)

Each time a person with diabetes wishes to renew their driving licence they must present a completed medical card form stating their fitness to drive. The duration of the medical certification of fitness to drive will determine the duration of the licence.

Did you know that you are entitled to a FREE eye examination every two years or every year if you have a change in your vision or are DIABETIC under the medical card scheme and employers PRSI scheme.

(2013 Regulations Developed by Diabetes Nurse Specialists, RSA and Diabetes Ireland)

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In my blog, I plan to write a brief account of some of the more common eye conditions that many of you may not have given too much thought to.  I am hoping to inform  the reader and ultimately create an awareness about the importance of eye health not least because without healthy eyes, we could  compromise our independent living and be forced to give up sporting hobbies or driving and simple things such as reading the newspaper, laptop, iPad or texts no matter how young or old you are.

These are all things we take for granted and yet every day, I meet at least one person who struggles to manage the simplest of tasks as a result if visual impairment or sight loss.  The sad reality is that many of the eye conditions that I plan to write about can be prevented with early detection and intervention. This can be achieved by attending an optometrist for regular eye tests, ( every two years) .

It costs so little and it is so worth it.

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