Retirement living affected more by vision loss than cancer

While cancer might have a considerable impact on retirement living, seniors are actually more likely to lose their vision than to develop the disease.


Roughly 33 percent of individuals over the age of 65 will experience some degree of vision loss, according to Macular Health, a vitamin company. In comparison, about one in six men will develop prostate cancer and one in nine women will contract breast cancer.


Vision loss in some adults is attributed to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

When macula are damaged, sight can become blurry and distorted. Unfortunately, there is no cure for AMD, although its development can be prevented with the right nutrition.


The Mayo Clinic says AMD might present itself as a dark spot in a sufferer's line of site. People with AMD might develop symptoms rapidly, or the degeneration may take place gradually. Possible treatments include injectable drug therapy, photodynamic therapy, laser treatment and vitamin supplements.


AMD normally occurs after the age of 50, according to the clinic. Its symptoms are usually painless, but visiting a doctor when they begin to appear may be critical to treatment.


© Copyright