Sacred Heart Hospital's SeniorSpirit! program will present a free seminar on age-related macular degeneration on Thursday, July 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Gulf Shores Senior Center, 300 E 16th Ave. in Gulf Shores.

The seminar will be presented by Dr. Joseph Gravlee, a board-certified ophthalmologist. The seminar will cover the signs and symptoms macular degeneration, as well as prevention and treatment options.

Age-related macular degeneration is one of the most common causes of severe vision loss for people over the age of 65.  There are two types of this disease - "wet" and "dry." "Dry" macular degeneration, the most common type of the disease, results in the thinning of the macular, which is located in the retina of the eye. This leads to some vision loss.

The "wet" form of macular degeneration only occurs in about ten percent of the cases, but it is a more serious disorder. This form occurs when new blood vessels grow beneath the retina and leak, creating a blind spot in the middle of one's field of vision.

As seating is limited, pre-registration is encouraged. To register, please call (850) 416-1620 or 1-877-416-1620.

Sacred Heart SENIORSpirit is a free program for persons 55 and older.  Benefits include free screenings, seminars, a monthly calendar of events detailing all SENIORSpirit events, and a quarterly newsletter containing health and event information.

For more information, please call (850) 416-7000 or visit www.sacred-heart.org.

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