March is AMD Awareness Month, and the Nebraska Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons encourages Nebraskans to know their risks for AMD. Catching AMD early still offers the best chance of preserving vision. People need to know their risks so that they can save their sight.

As part of the EyeSmart campaign, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and EyeCare of America, recommend a baseline eye disease screening at age 40 and based on those results and risk factors such as family history of eye disease, an ophthalmologist will prescribe necessary intervals for follow-up exams.

One of the best ways to reduce AMD risk is to quit smoking, as smokers have twice the risk of nonsmokers. Certain nutrient supplements are now known to be protective. Studies have found that a high-dose combination of antioxidants and zinc reduce the progression to advanced disease in patients at high risk. Eating fruits and deeply colored vegetables such as red peppers and spinach provides many health benefits and is likely to be protection against AMD.

Advanced AMD can occur in the "dry" or "wet" form. In the "wet" form, abnormal new blood vessels develop under the retina that bleed or leak fluid and form scars, causing central vision loss. New, highly effective treatments such as the injectable medications are dramatically reducing damage from "wet" AMD. For more information about AMD and other eye diseases, visit www.geteyesmart.org.

Michele L. Gleason, M.D. President Nebraska Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, 611 N. Diers Ave., Ste. 2