Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD/AMD) is the deterioration of the central part of the retina, called the macula, which is crucial for central vision. This part of our eye is responsible for seeing fine details and colors, which are essential for activities like driving, recognizing faces, reading, and watching TV. The retina, located at the back of the eye, contains nerves that record images and send them to the brain. When the macula is working properly, it collects detailed images at the center of our vision and sends them through the optic nerve to the brain. However, when the macula deteriorates, the retina sends distorted and blurred images instead.
To understand the impact of AMD, imagine looking at a loved one. Normally, their face is focused onto your macula. With macular degeneration, this image becomes blurry and unclear, making it difficult or even impossible to see clearly and enjoy life to the fullest.
Types of AMD:
- There are two main types of macular degeneration: “wet” and “dry.” About 85% to 90% of people with macular degeneration have the dry form, which can eventually progress to the wet form.
- Stargardt disease is another form of macular degeneration, but it occurs in young people. It is caused by a defective gene and affects 1 in 10,000 people.
Symptoms
In the early stages of AMD, you might not notice any symptoms, and irreversible damage could occur before significant symptoms appear. Wet AMD can cause these symptoms to show up suddenly.
The first symptoms of macular degeneration you might experience include:
- Blind or dark spots in the center of your vision that do not move
- Decreased or blurry vision
- Different color perception (rare)
- Lines appearing wavy
Causes
The exact cause of dry macular degeneration isn’t fully understood, but genetics and environmental factors are known to play significant roles in its development.
Risk factors for AMD include:
- Age – it typically affects people over 50 years old
- Gender – AMD is more common in women than men
- Family history and genetics – certain genes can increase the risk of developing macular degeneration.
- Race – AMD is more common in Caucasians
- Overexposure to UV light
- Smoke – smoking or regular exposure to smoke
- Obesity – a body mass index over 30 can more than double the risk of age-related macular degeneration
- Cardiovascular disease – conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels increase the risk of macular degeneration.
Treatment
Currently, there’s no cure for macular degeneration, but certain treatments can help improve vision.
For advanced dry macular degeneration in both eyes, one option to enhance vision is surgery to implant a telescopic lens in one eye. This tiny plastic tube contains lenses that magnify your field of vision.
In cases of advanced wet AMD, injectable medications are available to stabilize the condition and manage symptoms.
Regular visits to your eye doctor and comprehensive eye exams are crucial for detecting early stages of AMD, when treatment is most effective. Treatment can potentially slow down AMD progression and even restore some lost vision. Reach out to your eye doctor to discuss managing your AMD and finding the best treatment plan for you.
AMD can be discovered during Comprehensive Eye Exam which you can book online. If you’ve already had your routine eye exam in the last 12 months please call our office to schedule your medical visit.
