The Vulnerable Eye: AMD

It has been said that the  eyes are the windows to the soul: meaning that by looking into a person’s eyes you can tell what they are thinking or feeling. Whether or not this is true is unknown, but what is known is that the best way to find out if we have eye disease is to have an ophthalmologist take a look into our eyes and perform a Comprehensive Dilated Eye Exam. 

In Matthew 6:22-23, we are reminded about the role and significance of our spiritual eyes (seated in the heart):  “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,[a] your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy,[b] your whole body will be full of darkness.” (NIV). We see that the role of the eye is to serve as a carrier of light, much as a lamp does. Further, we see that the value of the eye is revealed in the benefit that its function provides to the whole body: it fills it with light. Light finds its entrance through the Word of God about Christ and is made useful to our eyes by the power of the Holy Spirit, who enables us to see the splendor of God revealed in Jesus Christ. (Psalm 119:130 and John 15:26).

We can apply this biblical principle to our physical eyes as well. Our physical eyes are the means by which light is made useful to us. When they are healthy, light enters and is transmitted in signals that the brain uses to produce an image of what is before us. When they are healthy, we see! But, when they are unhealthy, we are unable to make proper use of the light. We live with the threat of impending darkness. We risk becoming unable to see.

Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of blindness: more than cataracts or Glaucoma . It is caused by the breakdown of the macular. The main function of the macular is to give us clear sharp details when we are looking at something. It helps us to recognize faces, colors, objects and helps us to read and drive. There are two types of Macular Degeneration: wet and dry. Dry Macular Degeneration also known as Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the most common type of macular degeneration leading to blindness, affecting 85-90% of adults over age 50. (http://www.macular.org/what-macular-degeneration). 

Risk Factors of Age-related Macular Degeneration: 
Genetics: Having a family history of AMD increases your risk of developing AMD.

Nutrition: It has been shown that there is a link between the development of AMD and diets that are high in fat, low in antioxidants and other required food based supplements.

Smoking: Smoking and or being exposed to secondhand smoke is linked to the development of AMD as well as many other chronic diseases.

Age: The older you get the more you are at increased risk due to the natural deterioration of the macular.

Gender: Women are more at risk of developing AMD, as they live longer than men. This makes them more likely to live to the age where the natural deterioration of the macular causes vision problems. 

Symptoms of Age-related Macular Degeneration 
The chief symptom of AMD is visual loss. Specifically, a loss in the  sharpness or acuity of the vision is affected. First, one may notice that straight lines look wavy. Other symptoms of AMD are as follow (https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/age-related-macular-degeneration):

1. Difficulty adapting to low light levels.
2. Difficulty recognizing faces
3. Blurred vision
4. Dimming of vision
5. A loss of visibility at the center of your vision, only allowing you to see peripherally. 
6. Differences in the way you see sizes and colors.

Happy temple building!

Take care. Bless many.