Treating Macular Degeneration
Untreated macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of blindness in those over 65 years old. While researchers have not yet discovered a cure for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), there are treatment options which prevent the disease from progressing to blindness. In some cases, treatment can lead to improved vision. It’s essential to have an open discussion with your eye doctor about the risks and limitations of AMD treatments.
Types of Macular Degeneration:
There are 2 basic types of AMD, dry and wet forms.
Dry Macular Degeneration
Dry Macular Degeneration is considered the less aggressive form of AMD. It typically progresses much more slowly, and the level of eyesight damage is less severe. Treating Dry AMD often involves AREDS 2 antioxidants, which have been shown to slow disease progression. Dry AMD is detected during routine eye exams, which is why it’s crucial to have yearly testing that includes OCT tomography and retinal photos for monitoring retinal changes.
Wet Macular Degeneration
Wet Macular Degeneration is the more severe form of AMD. It is a chronic eye disorder that initially causes blurred vision or a blind spot in the visual field. It occurs when abnormal blood vessel growth (angiogenesis) leads to fluid leaks or bleeding inside the retinal layers. When this process starts, blindness can occur if treatment isn’t initiated. Treatments include an AMD medication injected directly into the eye to inhibit angiogenesis.
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Statistics
Currently, macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss in persons over the age of 60. Caucasians are far more likely to lose vision from AMD than African Americans, and studies show that obesity, smoking, and exposure to UV rays may also be risk factors for developing the disease. Having a family history of macular degeneration increases your risk for developing the condition. Nearly 90% of all diagnosed AMD is the dry form.
Symptoms
For dry AMD, symptoms develop gradually and without discomfort. Wet AMD often appears suddenly, and the eye will worsen rapidly. Diagnosis occurs when a doctor detects signs such as the presence of drusen during a comprehensive eye exam. Early symptoms include blurry, cloudy or distorted vision or dark spots in your central field of view. With advanced stages, vision loss can be severe with larger blind spots or the total loss of central vision.
Treatment
There are no FDA-approved treatments for dry macular degeneration, although, Amsler grid home evaluations and AREDS 2 antioxidants may be valuable in detecting and preventing its progression to the more advanced, wet form. For wet macular degeneration, there are several FDA-approved drugs aimed at stopping abnormal blood vessel growth and vision loss from the disease. In some cases, laser treatment of the retina may be recommended.