Age-related macular degeneration (AMD or ARMD) is a condition that doesn’t cause blindness but does lead to vision loss. Along with glaucoma, AMD is one of the leading causes of vision loss in Americans age 65 and older. While there is no cure for AMD, there are treatment options that can help slow the progression of the disease
Types of Age-Related Macular Degeneration
There are two types of AMD:
Dry Macular Degeneration
The macula is what controls your central vision, enabling you to clearly see details. Dry macular degeneration is the more common form of AMD that causes the center of the retina (macula) to deteriorate, resulting in blurred vision. Dry macular degeneration typically affects both eyes and occurs as part of the normal aging process. The macular tissue begins to thin, which distorts your vision and progresses gradually.
Wet Macular Degeneration
Wet macular degeneration is not as common as dry AMD, but it is more damaging and can lead to more significant vision loss. Wet macular degeneration occurs when new abnormal blood vessels begin to grow under the retina, leaking fluid and blood into the macula, which can cause permanent damage and loss of your central vision. This type of macular degeneration can progress faster than dry AMD.
Symptoms and Risk Factors
The primary symptoms of AMD include difficulty reading in low-lighted areas, an increase in blurriness of words, an apparent blind spot in the center of your field of vision, and a decrease in the brightness of colors.
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should make an eye exam appointment with the Country Hills Eye Center.
The exact cause of macular degeneration is still unknown, but aging, genetics, smoking, and cardiovascular disease are contributing factors to this condition.
What sight is like with AMD.
Treatment Options
At this time, AMD is not curable, but if you’re diagnosed early, there are treatments available depending on the type and severity of your macular degeneration. If you are diagnosed with wet macular degeneration, treatment options may include medications, such as Avastin, Lucentis, Eylea, and Vabysmo. These medications help reduce the growth of abnormal blood vessels, as well as helping block the leaking from the abnormal vessels.
Other recommended therapies may include laser and photodynamic therapy, which use high-energy laser light to destroy actively growing abnormal vessels.
There are also certain vitamin supplements that may be recommended to help slow the progression of dry macular degeneration to wet macular degeneration.
Schedule an Eye Exam With One of Our Providers Today!
The best defense against AMD is to have regular eye exams with your eye doctor because early detection is extremely important. Contact us today to schedule an appointment, or you can call us directly. We look forward to helping protect your vision!
