What is Age Related Macular Degeneration? (AMD)
Age Related Macular Degeneration is one of the leading causes of vision loss in people above the age of 60 and involves the breakdown of the eye’s macula. The macula is small area in the retina which is responsible for central vision, allowing you to see fine details clearly.
- 90% of patients have the dry form of AMD, where the degeneration of the macula is a gradual process.
- 10% have the wet form of AMD, in which weakened blood vessels result in sudden blood leakage.
Causes of AMD
- Age
- Family history of AMD
- Tobacco use
- High blood pressure
- Abnormal cholesterol levels
Symptoms of AMD
In its primary stages, patients may not be aware that they have macular degeneration until it is detected during an eye-exam. That is why patients who are at a risk for macular degeneration should have regular vision tests and if diagnosed, begin appropriate treatment immediately.
Some of the symptoms of AMD include:
- Blurry distance and/or reading vision
- Dark or blank spots in your vision
- Loss of central vision
- Distortion of straight lines
- Changed color perception
Treatment of AMD
While there is no cure for AMD, there are several treatment options available for the management of this eye condition which may prevent severe vision loss.
- Dry form of AMD: This can be treated using vitamin supplements and certain lifestyle modifications including wearing sunglasses, increasing daily exercise and stopping smoking.
- Wet form of AMD: Treatments for the wet form of AMD involve injections into the eye to stop the leakage from abnormal blood vessels. This treatment is very successful and needs to be repeated on follow-up visits.
