Eyes are windows to the...heart?

Age-related macular degeneration can be an indicator of a higher risk of heart attack or stroke according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. In observation of September being Save Your Sight Month, Eye Care America is raising awareness about age-related macular degeneration and how it can alert people to other underlying health conditions. The abnormal blood vessels that grow around the eye's macula cause vision to break down from the center outward. This damage may also be a red flag for a possible risk of heart attack or stroke. This risk may be 8 to 10 times greater than in someone who does not have this blood vessel damage. Australian researchers followed study participants over a course of several years and noted that those who had age-related macular degeneration had more than double the incidence of heart attack or stroke. Regular eye exams can not only help save your sight but also bring other health conditions to your attention as well. Elise Ervin Staff Writer