Macular Degeneration

What is age-related macular degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease that progressively damages the macula. The macula is the central part of the retina that helps us see fine details and small things. At first, macular degeneration can appear as a distortion in vision (like when objects look bent or crooked). As the disease progresses, the central vision is lost leaving only the peripheral vision (on the sides) unaffected.

In the western world, age-related macular degeneration is very common and one of the leading causes of vision loss in people over 50 years old.

Normal Vision

Vision with Age-Related Macular Degeneration

How is age-related macular degeneration diagnosed?

Early detection limits the progression of the disease and helps preserve vision. To diagnose age-related macular degeneration, a retina specialist must examine the back of the eye where the retina is located. Depending on the form (dry or wet) and the stage of the disease, your eye doctor can request some additional tests to decide the best treatment.

Normal Retina

Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Risk factors for developing age-related macular degeneration:

The main risk factor is age
Smoking
Family history of Age-related macular degeneration
European descent
Intense exposure to UV rays
High blood pressure
Circulatory problems
Overweight
High cholesterol

After 40, make sure to have an eye exam with a specialist at least once a year.

What is the treatment for age-related macular degeneration?

The progression of age-related macular can be delayed from an early to an advanced stage with food supplements with antioxidants prescribed by a retina specialist.

The dry form of age-related macular degeneration evolves slowly over several years. Many treatments are currently in pre-clinical research phases and the findings are to be released soon.

The wet form of age-related macular degeneration progresses more rapidly due to the formation of abnormal veins below the macula (causing hemorrhages and fluid accumulation). Urgent treatment is necessary to maintain or restore vision. Currently, the first-line treatment is the repeated injection of therapeutic proteins known as anti-VEGF.

Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope (SLO) of Wet AMD

OCT Scan of Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration (Vision 20/400)

Same Patient with Wet AMD After Anti-VEGF Treatment (Aflibercept, Vision 20/30)

AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION DOES NOT RESULT IN BLINDNESS BECAUSE ONLY THE CENTRAL VISION IS AFFECTED, BUT IT LEADS TO A DISABILITY TO READ AND RECOGNIZE FACES.