All Eyes on Health: Legendary actress Betty White urges people to get serious about their vision…Age-Related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in Americans over age 60, yet new survey shows a significant awareness gap

LOS ANGELES, April 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Today legendary actress Betty White kicks off My Eye Health(TM): In the Wink of an Eye(TM), a national campaign to educate Americans about age-related macular degeneration, also called AMD, and the importance of early detection and treatment. AMD is the leading cause of blindness in Americans over age 60.

About 15 million Americans -- almost one in four over the age of 50 -- have AMD which may severely impact the ability to read, watch TV, drive or even recognize faces of family and friends. AMD is classified in two forms: dry AMD and wet AMD. Wet AMD is the more advanced and most threatening form as it can develop rapidly; often leading to severe vision loss in the affected eye within months.

A new survey shows that only 55 percent of those over age 65 are aware of wet AMD, and less than 10 percent of the same age population knew that vision can deteriorate rapidly with wet AMD. More than half of adults aged 65 and older did not know that there are treatment options available for wet AMD.

"AMD is devastating to those who have it and the thought of losing my vision is too much to bear. When I learned that vision may be preserved when wet AMD is caught and treated early, I wanted to spread the word to as many people as possible," said national spokesperson Betty White. "We should all monitor our vision and encourage our friends, family and peers to do the same."

The earlier wet AMD is diagnosed and treated, the better vision outcomes may be. Yet many people wait too long to see their eye doctor after noticing vision changes. By not recognizing the urgency of the situation, they are putting their vision at risk.

The My Eye Health campaign will educate the public about signs and symptoms of wet AMD and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment, which may result in better vision outcomes. Eye doctors can diagnose wet AMD before patients even notice any changes, so annual check-ups are a key way to catch wet AMD early.

"Fortunately, the ophthalmology community and patients have benefited from major advances in how wet AMD is treated. Studies show that early treatment may yield the most effective outcomes, so it is important that patients recognize wet AMD symptoms and see their eye doctor right away if they notice any changes in vision," said Carmen A. Puliafito, M.D. M.B.A., Director of the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

For Americans who are most at-risk for AMD, one way to check their vision at home daily is by using a simple self-monitoring tool called the Amsler grid. Free copies of the Amsler grid along with instructions on how to use it are available through http://www.myeyehealth.org/ or by calling 1-866-702-EYES (866-702-3937).

About Age-Related Macular Degeneration

AMD is a chronic, progressive disease of the central portion of the retina called the macula, resulting in the loss of central vision. The most common symptoms are a central blurred or blank spot, distortion of objects or simply blurred vision. Peripheral vision usually remains intact. AMD is classified into two forms: atrophic, referred to as dry AMD, and neovascular or wet AMD.

In neovascular AMD, abnormal blood vessels grow and leak into the macula, resulting in loss of vision. Neovascular AMD is the more severe form of the disease and progresses more rapidly than the dry type. Although it accounts for only about 10-15% of all macular degeneration cases, neovascular AMD is responsible for 90% of blindness caused by the disease.

About My Eye Health(TM)

The My Eye Health(TM) program features a national public service announcement hosted by Betty White, educational events in 15 cities nationwide, the launch of http://www.myeyehealth.org/ and 1-866-702-EYES (866-702-3937), a free information hotline to receive information and free Amsler Grids. Prevent Blindness America and the Macular Degeneration Partnership are sponsors of the campaign and received funding support from (OSI) Eyetech and Pfizer Ophthalmics.