Macular Degeneration

Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in people over the age of 60. It happens when the small central portion of the retina, the macula, deteriorates. It can cause large blind spots in the central vision. It is currently considered an incurable eye disease, but there are ways to slow the progression once you’ve been diagnosed. There are multiple forms of macular degeneration, early diagnosis is key in managing all forms, so make sure you schedule an exam to test your eyes for macular degeneration.

Dry Macular Degeneration

Dry (atrophic) Macular Degeneration is the most common form of age related macular degeneration. It’s exact cause remains unknown. Tending to progress more slowly than the wet form of macular degeneration, it has yet to have any approved treatment or cure. What is known is that small white or yellowish deposits called drusen form on the retina beneath the macula and eventually cause deterioration in the eye. As there is no cure, only intervention measures can be taken to prevent further deterioration of central vision. The success of preventive measures depend heavily on whether or not the condition is caught in its early stages. Currently the best way to protect your eyes from developing early dry macular degeneration are:

• Commitment to a healthier lifestyle including changes to diet and exercise
• Wearing sunglasses that protect your eyes from the sun's harmful UV rays

Wet Macular Degeneration

Wet (neovascular) macular degeneration affects roughly 10 - 15% of people diagnosed with macular degeneration. It also accounts for 90% of all cases where central vision was severely impacted by the disease. New blood vessels grow beneath the retina and leak blood and fluids, causing permanent damage to retina cells. Those light sensitive retinal cells then die and create blind spots in the central vision of the eye.

It is worth noting that wet macular degeneration occurs when age related macular degeneration is left untreated. It is the body's natural effort at creating a new network of blood vessels to supply missing nutrients and oxygen to the retina. Instead of helping though, this process causes scarring and often to complete central vision loss. Early diagnosis is vital, so have your vision tested by a doctor.

Symptoms

Age related macular degeneration typically manifests in slow, painless vision loss. In rare situations vision loss is sudden. Some signs of forming AMD are shadowy areas in the central vision or unusually fuzzy or distorted vision. An “amsler grid” is a visual test done by your eye doctor that consists of a grid of straight lines with a reference dot in the center. Someone who is experiencing AMD may see some of the lines as wavy, blurred or see dark circles surrounding the center dot.

Who is at Risk

Macular degeneration typically affects older populations, but occurs in caucasian females most frequently. Those at a particularly high risk include but are not limited to:

• People above the age of 60
• People who use drugs with macular degeneration as a potential side effect
• People with a genetic history of macular degeneration
• People who smoke

Research into Macular Degeneration causes and treatments are still ongoing. If you feel you are at an increased risk of developing AMD, call and schedule a visual exam as soon as possible.