JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, February 1, 2013- February is Macular Degeneration Month. Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in people 50 and older, and as you age, the risk increases. It is a chronic condition that causes central vision loss and affects more than 25 million people worldwide.

ARMD occurs when the macula-the central part of the retina that is important for reading and color vision becomes damaged. Some common symptoms of ARMD are: gradual loss of ability to see objects clearly, distorted vision, a gradual loss of color vision, and a dark areas appearing in the center of vision. If you notice any new distortion or visual changes, it is critical to contact your eye care provider immediately. Board Certified Ophthalmologist and Retina Specialist with Clay Eye Physicians & Surgeon, Russell Pecoraro, M.D. says, “New treatments are currently being developed to treat age related macular degeneration (ARMD). One of the newest products approved by the FDA is Eyelea. Based on study results, Eyelea has been shown to last longer than some of the other treatments, resulting in fewer injections in some patients. In addition, some reports have shown it to work in patients who have failed other treatments.”

He continues, “We are delighted to see continued success with current treatment options in most patients. The results from clinical trials continue to demonstrate stability and improvement in vision with treatment years later. Because of a common factor shared by other eye disease, the same medicine s have been very effective in both diabetic eye disease and retinal vascular diseases.”

Comprehensive eye exams play an important role in your overall health and wellness, and it is imperative that you schedule one every year for optimal vision health. In addition to measuring your vision, regular eye exams can help identify early signs of certain chronic health conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and high cholesterol.

Clay Eye Physicians and Surgeons offers comprehensive eye care in the following specialties: Cataract Surgery, Cornea Surgery, Medical Retina, Diabetic Eye Disease and Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma Surgery, LASIK Surgery, Cosmetic Eye Procedures, Pediatric Ophthalmology, and Pediatric Eye Exams. In addition, they offer Routine Eye Exams, Contact Lenses, and Boutique Eyewear for the entire family.

Clay Eye Physicians & Surgeons was established in 1977 and is an eight physician group. They currently have offices in Orange Park, Fleming Island and Mandarin. If you would like more information about Clay Eye, please contact (904) 272-2020, or visit their website at www.clayeye.com