Age-related Macular Degeneration Screening and Management
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Video
What causes Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?
AMD is a common eye condition and is associated with age. It affects the small central area of the retina of the eye that has highest resolution visual acuity in the eye called the macula.
AMD occurs in 'dry' and 'wet' forms. In 'dry' AMD, there is degeneration of the layers of light-sensitive cells and their underlying tissue at the macula which in turn causes blur vision in the affected eye. In 'wet' AMD, there is leakage and bleeding of abnormal blood vessels in the region of the macula that leads to swelling and damage of the macula. Vision loss may be rapid in the wet form as compared to a dry form.
How do I know if I have AMD?
If you are experiencing one of the following symptoms:
Distorted vision
Decreasing colour intensity or brightness
Shadows or empty area in the centre of vision
Objects may appear as the wrong shape or size, smaller or farther away
Increasing difficulty adapting to low light levels
Increase in visual blurring
Self-testing and monitoring with an Amsler Grid (Try it here: http://www.amd.org/the-amsler-grid/) This test can be done at home and helps in the early detection of AMD.
What are the risk factors for developing macular degeneration?
Race and Gender: AMD occurs more commonly in whites and females
Greater Age
Obesity
Family history
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Smoking
Poor diet
Excessive UV/Sun exposure
How do I prevent Age-Related Macular Degeneration?
Have a healthy diet of leafy greens
Supplementation with omega fish oils may be helpful
Sunglasses and hats
How is AMD treated?
Up until very recently Dry AMD had no treatment, so early detection by an eye specialist using a combination of clinical examination with Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Angiography was essential for prevention of progression. Fortunately, a new treatment called Valeda photo-biomodulation therapy is now available which Aberdeen Eye Surgery is happy to be able to offer to our patients with Dry AMD . (see section on Valeda Light Delivery System (LDS) for Dry AMD Treatment)
Secondary prevention using Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) formula supplements is still a mainstay of management and continues to be highly recommended. Other new treatments for 'Dry' AMD are being developed but many are not yet ready for clinical use.
The main treatment for Wet AMD is intravitreal injections (into the eye) with special drugs (Anti-VEGF and/ or Anti-Angiopoietin 2) that results in the shrinkage of abnormal blood vessels. In certain types of 'wet' AMD called IPCV where bulbous blood vessels called polyps are present, a special laser treatment with a drug called Visudyne treatment may be used in combination with intravitreal injections to shrink the abnormal vessels.