What is AMD?

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that can blur central vision. This happens when aging causes damage to the macula - the part of the eye that controls sharp, straight-ahead vision. The macula is part of the retina (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye). AMD is such a common condition that it is the leading cause of vision loss for adults. AMD does not cause total blindness, but the loss of central vision can make it difficult to see the face, read, drive, or do other daily activities. The progression of AMD varies in severity from person to person, so sometimes it happens very slowly in some people and faster in others. An AMD patient may not notice vision loss for a long time. That is why it is very important to be monitored by an ophthalmologist.

What are the types and stages of AMD?

There are 2 types of AMD: dry and wet.

Most people have dry AMD (also called atrophic AMD). This is when the macula becomes thinner with age. Dry AMD occurs in three stages: early, intermediate and late. It usually progresses slowly over several years. There is no cure for late-onset dry AMD, but there are ways to make the most of your remaining vision. If it is late dry AMD in only one eye, it is possible to take steps to protect the other eye. Wet AMD (also called advanced neovascular AMD), is a less common type of late AMD that usually causes faster vision loss. Any stage of dry AMD can turn into wet AMD - but wet AMD is always a late stage. This happens when abnormal blood vessels grow in the back of the eye and damage the macula. There are currently available treatment options for wet AMD.

What are the symptoms of AMD?

The symptoms of AMD depend on the stage. Dry AMD occurs in three stages: early, intermediate and late. AMD is a progressive disease - meaning the symptoms usually get worse over time.

• Early dry AMD causes no symptoms.
• In moderate dry AMD, some people still have no symptoms. Others may notice mild symptoms, such as a slight blurring of their central vision or difficulty seeing in low light.
• In late AMD (wet or dry type), many people notice that straight lines start to look wavy or crooked. The patient may also notice a blurred area near the center of vision. Over time, this blurred area may grow or you may see blank spots. Colors may also appear less bright than before, and you may have trouble seeing in low light. Straight lines that appear wavy are a warning sign of late AMD. If you notice this symptom, contact your eye doctor immediately.
  

Risk factors for AMD?

Your risk of AMD increases as you get older. People 55 and older are more likely to develop AMD. The risk of AMD is also higher for people who:

• Family history of AMD
• Caucasian ancestry
• Smoking
  

AMD diagnosis?

Ophthalmologists can check for AMD as part of a comprehensive eye exam with dilated pupils. It may be necessary to perform an OCT test, i.e. retinal mapping, to diagnose the disease.

What is the treatment for AMD?

AMD treatment depends on the stage and type.

There is currently no treatment for early AMD, so your eye doctor will probably just monitor your eye condition with regular eye exams. Eating healthy, exercising regularly and quitting smoking can also help.

If you have moderate AMD in one or both eyes, special nutritional supplements (vitamins and minerals) may be able to prevent it from turning into late AMD. If you have late AMD in only one eye, these supplements may slow AMD in your other eye.

If you have wet AMD, there are other treatments that may stop further vision loss:

• Medicines called anti-VEGF medicines (injection into the eye)
• Photodynamic therapy (PDT), a combination of injections and laser therapy
  

There is currently no treatment for late-onset dry AMD – but researchers are working hard to find treatment options. And you can get support to help you live with vision loss from AMD.