What is age-related macular degeneration? Symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with AMD, there are many resources available to help you manage this common disease. Here are some of Everyday Health’s top picks.

American Academy of Ophthalmology

As the largest association of ophthalmologists and surgeons in the world, the American Academy of Ophthalmology has 32,000 physician members. Its website has important information on various conditions affecting the eye, including AMD.

American Foundation for Macular Degeneration (AMDF)

AMDF is a non-profit organization committed to the prevention, treatment and cure of macular degeneration. It provides support and education to people with AMD and their families while promoting awareness. We particularly like the AMDF blog page, the themes of which join his cookbook: Eat well for your eyesight.

American printing press for the blind

Since 1858, this non-profit organization has offered hundreds of products and services useful to people who are blind or visually impaired. These include Braille textbooks, talking calculators, and touch globes.

Application Be my eyes

This free app matches people who are blind or visually impaired with sighted volunteers who can provide assistance via a live video call. It is now available in over 180 different languages ​​in over 150 countries.

BrightFocus

BrightFocus is an organization that funds scientific research and provides information on Alzheimer’s disease, macular degeneration and glaucoma. Additionally, it offers a list of prescription assistance programs for people with macular degeneration.

EARS for EYES program

EARS is a non-profit organization that offers free audio courses that teach coping skills in everyday life to visually impaired people and their caregivers. The program offers a national directory of support groups for the visually impaired.

HomeMods.org

This website, which is a sponsored project by the Leonard Davis School of Gerontology at the University of Southern California (USC), provides information and resources on how to make homes for the visually impaired safer. The idea is to modify living spaces to reduce the risk of falls and other injuries.

International Association of Audio Information Services (IAAIS)

IAAIS is a voluntary organization that turns text into speech for people who cannot see or have a disability that prevents them from reading.

ONF-Newsline

ONF-Newsline is a free national audio news service for people who are blind, visually impaired, deafblind or unable to read print. It provides access to more than 500 publications, emergency weather reports, job offers, etc.

NIH: National Eye Institute

For more than 50 years, the National Eye Institute at NIH has been at the forefront of vision research. The organization provides a multitude of educational materials. From fact sheets to webinars, its resources can help you learn more about AMD and how to cope with vision loss.

Prevent blindness.org

The aim of the association is to prevent blindness and preserve eyesight. We especially like that it offers an Amsler grid test to download and print, so you can check your vision and track any changes. The organization also has a resource called GuideME, which creates a personalized guide with useful information for people with vision problems.

That all can read

Sponsored by the National Library Service (NLS) of Congress, this program is a free Braille library and talking book service for people with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, or a disability that prevents them from reading or reading. to hold a printed page.

VisionAware

VisionAware is a free, easy-to-use service for people with vision loss, their families, and healthcare professionals. The site provides a feature that allows you to search for local support groups and organizations in your area. VisionAware also offers useful information about low vision devices.

VoiceOver app

This app, which can be used on a variety of Apple devices, allows visually impaired people to navigate on all of their screens. Users hear a description of what is displayed on the screen, including menu items, text messages, and battery life alerts.