One million of Canada’s 34.7m or so persons are living with some type of age-related macular degeneration, according to CNIB on its website.
Previously known as Canadian National Institute for the Blind, CNIB said that cases involving age-related macular degeneration in the so-called Great White North outnumber the combined tally of instances of prostate cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, breast cancer and Parkinson’s disease.
Such a finding is almost enough to make heads spin since it highlights the prevalence of a condition that many Canadian probably know little, if anything, about.
While age-related macular degeneration does impact the lives of a good many Canadians, few of them are actually unaware of how the condition, which is a leading cause of blindness, actually affects the eyes.
Far from being an ailment that pops up out of nowhere, so to speak, age-related macular degeneration is a progressive disease that over time damages central vision, noted CNIB on its website. CNIB, an organization that represents the interests of Canadians who either are blind or are sight impaired, added that persons living with age-related macular degeneration might have to cope with a lessened ability to read their favorite novels, drive their vehicles or even recognize the faces of family, friends and associates.
According to CNIB, the age-related macular degeneration problem in Canada can better be understood after considering that the number of persons with the condition is on pace to double in the coming quarter century. This will continue to exact high personal, economic and societal tolls, added the organization.
According to CNIB, Canadians are fortunate to have access to a wide array of useful information about preventing age-related macular degeneration and living with the condition.
According to CNIB, the following are just some of the online resources that Canadians can use to arm themselves with information for the fight against age-related macular degeneration:
- People can boost their understanding of the condition via an online learning tool: http://www.cnib.ca/en/your-eyes/eye-conditions/amd/the-eye/amd-challenge
- People can access a vision quality test in the comfort of their own homes to determine any changes in their vision: http://www.cnib.ca/en/your-eyes/eye-conditions/amd/diagnosing/amsler-grid/
- People can taken advantage of CNIB’s age-related macular degeneration support website: http://www.eyeconnectamd.ca/diagnosis.aspx
Reference: http://www.cnib.ca/en/your-eyes/eye-conditions/amd/
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