Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
An estimated 11 million people in the United States have some form of macular degeneration, also called age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of vision loss in people over 60. This number is expected to double to nearly 22 million by 2050.
The risk of suffering with AMD increases from 2% for ages 50-59, to nearly 30% for those over the age of 75.
While there is no cure for macular degeneration, with the advent of injections and lasers, Our Eye Doctors can help you manage the condition and may even occasionally restore any loss of sight.
What is Macular Degeneration?
The macula is the central part of the retina. It’s a vitally important part of our eyes as it is responsible for central vision and much of our color vision and ability to see fine details. It allows us to read, recognize faces, drive a car, and so much more.
In fact, the light rays of whatever we are looking at are focused on the macula, be it a photograph of a grand-child, the TV, or your partner’s face.
Macular degeneration is the deterioration of the central part of the retina, the inside back layer of the eye that records the images we see and sends them back to the brain. When the macula is functioning properly, it collects highly detailed images at the center of our vision and sends neural signals through the optic nerve to the brain, which interprets them as sight. When the macula deteriorates, the brain does not receive these clear, bright images, and instead receives blurry or distorted images.
Types of Macular Degeneration
There are two main types of macular degeneration: “dry” and “wet.” Between 85% to 90% of people with macular degeneration have the dry (atrophic) form, but the dry form can eventually lead to the wet (exudative) form.
Another form of macular degeneration is Stargardt disease, which occurs in young people. It is caused by a recessive gene, affecting 1 in 10,000 people.
Wet vs. Dry Macular Degeneration
- Dry (atropic) macular degeneration – this is caused when drusen (yellow deposits of proteins) accumulate under the retina causing retinal distortion. A few small drusen may not change your vision, but as they grow larger they may start to dim or distort vision, especially while reading. As AMD worsens, the light-sensitive cells in your macula further deteriorate and eventually die. With dry AMD, you may also notice blind spots in the center of your vision.
- Wet (exudative) macular degeneration – this is when new and very fragile blood vessels are formed. These abnormal blood vessels leak blood and fluid into the retina, causing vision to become distorted so that straight lines appear wavy. As the blood vessels continue to bleed, they form a scar, potentially leading to partial or full loss of central vision.
By getting regular check-ups, your eye doctor can diagnose AMD early on and manage the condition to prevent further vision loss.
Symptoms of Macular Degeneration
In the early stages of AMD, you might not have any noticeable symptoms. By the time significant symptoms manifest, irreversible damage may have already occurred.
Symptoms of macular degeneration may include:
- Decreased or blurry vision
- Dark or blind spots in the center of your vision
- Lines appearing wavy
- Different color perception
Stages of Macular Degeneration
There are three stages of age-related macular degeneration.
- Early AMD – Medium-sized drusen deposits and no pigment changes. Most people have no loss of vision at this point
- Intermediate AMD – Large drusen and/or pigment changes. There may cause mild vision loss, but most people don’t experience any problems with their daily tasks
- Late AMD – Vision loss has become noticeable
What Eye Exams Can Help Detect AMD?
To check for macular degeneration, your eye doctor will perform a comprehensive eye exam that will include:
- Dilated Eye Exam – During this exam, eye drops are used to dilate the pupil. This allows the doctor to easily see a magnified view of the macula, drusen or detect abnormal blood vessels.
- Ophthalmoscopy – For this exam, your doctor will use a hand-held light to detect any damage or changes in the retina and macula.
- Fluorescein Angiography – This uses a dye injected into the bloodstream and is used to detect any leaking blood vessels in the retina.
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) – This test allows eye doctors to see a cross section through the retina and examine the layers and blood vessels beneath the surface of the retina. This includes the macula, optic nerve, retina, and choroid. Images are seen in 3D and full colour.
- Amsler Grid – An Amsler grid is used by a patient at home, and allows you to self-examine your vision to notice the sudden appearance of any blurry or blank spots in your field of vision. Any changes of vision can be reported immediately to your eye doctor. This should not replace your regular yearly eye exam.
Visiting your eye doctor regularly and having a comprehensive eye examination can help detect AMD in its early stages, when treatment is most effective. While there is currently no cure for AMD, treatment may slow the disease and keep you from having severe vision loss and may even be able to restore some loss of sight. Contact Our Eye Doctors to find the best treatment plan and to discuss ways to manage your AMD.
