Macular Degeneration

Age Related Macular Degeneration

AMD is a leading cause of vision loss in patients over the age of 50. At its earliest stage, a patient may experience no symptoms. AMD can progress painlessly and seriously damage one's vision.

AMD affects the macula area, which is the most color/shape/motion sensitive area of the retina. The macula is responsible for sharp central vision, so when it is damaged, a patient may have difficulty reading and recognizing faces. While it often progresses without symptoms, there are some early warning signs of AMD:

Early Warning Signs

• Straight lines that look wavy or distorted
• Loss of color vision
• Dark or empty spot in the center of your vision

Risk Factors

Factors which increase your risk of developing the condition:

• Family history of AMD
• Smoking
• Poor diet
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• High cholesterol levels
• UV light exposure

Based on the above risk factors, smoking cessation, plenty of exercise, and an overall healthy lifestyle can help prevent AMD. Investing in a good pair of sunglasses to block out UV light can protect your eyes from a range of conditions too, not the least of which is AMD.

Types of AMD

Dry (Atrophic) AMD

Associated with drusen deposits, dry AMD occurs as part of the natural aging process, develops slowly without early symptoms, and generally affects both eyes. When dry AMD develops, vitamins following the AREDS2 formulation have been shown to slow down progression.

Wet (Exudative) AMD

Wet AMD occurs when weak blood vessels break and leak blood or fluid into the retina. This leakage can lead to rapid central vision loss, making wet AMD a medical emergency. Wet AMD can be treated by injections that arrest the development of abnormal blood vessels in the eyes.

Prevention

While some risk factors like age and genetics cannot be changed, there are several lifestyle modifications that may help reduce your risk of developing AMD or slow its progression:

• Smoking cessation: Smoking is the single most significant modifiable risk factor for AMD. Quitting smoking can dramatically reduce your risk.
• Regular exercise: Maintaining an active lifestyle helps support overall cardiovascular health, which benefits your eyes.
• Healthy lifestyle: A diet rich in leafy green vegetables, fish, and fruits provides essential nutrients for eye health.
• Sunglasses and UV protection: Wearing sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays helps protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet light exposure.