This year marks the 10th Anniversary of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Awareness Week in Singapore, marking considerable advances in education, early detection and treatment of AMD over this timeframe. Advancements in vascular lesion identification with confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope indocyanine green angiography has allowed subtyping wet AMD into classic Choroidal Neovascularization (CNV), Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy and Retinal Angiomatous Proliferation.

Early Detection

Macular degeneration, or macular atrophy, occurs when the macula of your retina degrades over time, impacting reading ability, driving skills and seeing fine details. Although macular degeneration doesn’t cause total blindness it can be a serious handicap for older individuals over 50 and leads to severe vision loss; early diagnosis through regular dilated eye exams is crucial as treatments exist that can slow its progress.

Macular degeneration is usually divided into two distinct forms, dry macular degeneration and wet macular degeneration. While wet AMD is less commonly experienced than its dry counterpart, its effects can often be much more serious; abnormal blood vessels form beneath the retina that begin to leak blood or fluids onto macula tissue and scarring occurs as blood or fluid leakage causes scarring that results in loss of central vision more quickly compared to dry AMD which can often be reversed over time.

Macular degeneration often progresses slowly; as such, patients may not notice any immediate symptoms in its early stages. When symptoms do surface however, they typically manifest as distortion of straight lines or blurriness near the center of visual fields – or in rarer instances even complete loss of central vision – although early symptoms of macular degeneration may remain less obvious than expected.

Macular degeneration affects central vision; peripheral (side) vision may remain normal. But reading, driving a car, recognising faces and performing other activities that require central vision may become increasingly challenging over time. At Beraja Medical Institute’s Wet Macular Degeneration Clinic we can offer treatment that reduces abnormal blood vessel growth while preventing leakage and bleeding in the eye – previously laser photocoagulation was often the go-to procedure; now however we offer advanced photodynamic therapy as an option that has proven more successful at improving central vision – our team have also implemented laser photocoagulation procedures which often failed without ever improving vision improvements; instead we offer photodynamic therapy which has proven its efficacy in improving central vision significantly over time.

Treatment

Age-related macular degeneration occurs when retina, the thin tissue located at the back of your eye that converts light to nerve signals, is damaged. Dry macular degeneration is the most prevalent form of age-related macular degeneration and involves light-sensing cells breaking down and not working, leading to gradually reduced central vision – making reading or driving difficult – as well as distortion of straight lines and dark spots in your vision center. People living with dry macular degeneration do not typically experience changes in color perception or peripheral (side vision).

Wet macular degeneration occurs when leaking blood vessels form under the retina and damage the macula, leading to macular oedema which leads to blurry central vision or even sudden, severe loss. Laser treatment is available to destroy abnormal blood vessels that leak fluid beneath retina – this form of therapy called laser photocoagulation may slow its progression but cannot restore lost eyesight.

New treatments for wet macular degeneration are now available, including anti-VEGF drugs injected directly into the eye to decrease new blood vessel formation and reduce fluid leakage from existing blood vessels. Although they have shown some promise in improving vision, these medicines are expensive and require regular office visits for injection.

Limited macular translocation may help improve vision in some patients suffering from wet macular degeneration. The procedure entails cutting and moving the macula to a healthier area on retina; serial fundus photography may be taken for monitoring purposes to monitor disease progress.

Macular degeneration patients must get regular eye exams in order to identify any changes in their vision, so their doctor can detect and treat problems early. Along with conducting a complete eye exam, doctors may use special tools such as slit lamps or fluorescein angiography tests in order to better detect problems before they become serious.

Prevention

Macular degeneration is a condition affecting the retina’s central region, known as the macula. This eye condition causes blurry or missing central vision that makes driving, reading and performing other tasks that rely on clear vision difficult or impossible. Macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of blindness and visual impairment among people over 50 and comes in two forms – dry and wet macular degeneration; dry macular degeneration gradually develops while wet macular degeneration involves abnormal blood vessel growth which leaks fluid rapidly into central vision while peripheral vision remains intact despite either form of damage.

While macular degeneration cannot be reversed, making lifestyle adjustments to slow its progress and minimize vision loss is possible. These include eating a diet rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, quitting smoking, wearing sunglasses with visors to protect eyes from sunlight exposure, receiving regular eye exams, taking nutritional supplements that contain lutein/zeaxanthin/zinc antioxidants if available, or consulting your optometrist before beginning any new supplement regiments or therapies. For safety’s sake it would be wise to speak to an optometrist like Dr Richlin/OD& Associates prior to undertaking any new supplements to ensure their suitability & safety for you personally.

Many people living with macular degeneration still lead fulfilling lives, as the disease does not lead to total blindness. Peripheral vision assists with driving and other tasks requiring straight-ahead vision; people usually retain enough useful vision to live independently. Macular degeneration symptoms may be difficult to recognize at first; if you notice blurred or dark areas in your center vision or gradual color vision loss it is important to visit an optometrist for an eye exam as soon as possible.

Macular degeneration is a progressive eye condition characterized by the breakdown of the central part of the retina – called macula – reducing our ability to perceive fine details, such as blackboards in classrooms or clocks on walls. More prevalent among older adults and often caused by age, family history or medical conditions; macular degeneration can have severe visual repercussions that make daily tasks like threading needles or driving difficult or impossible if left untreated.

Rehabilitation

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which affects people aged 65 or above, is the leading cause of severe vision loss. AMD develops when retinal tissue breaks down around the macula (an area located behind your eye that helps you see fine details clearly), leading to blurriness or darkened spots in central vision and making threading needles or reading difficult – however this condition does not impact peripheral or side vision allowing people to continue walking safely while taking care of themselves.

Macular degeneration currently has no cure; however, it can be delayed or slowed with regular visits to an ophthalmologist for comprehensive dilated exams and following a healthy diet rich in nutrients combined with regular physical exercise and sun protection. Smoking should also be limited along with sun exposure. New therapy known as photodynamic therapy uses laser and photosensitizing drugs combined to seal abnormal blood vessels that leak fluid beneath the retina in wet forms of AMD; this procedure may preserve more vision; however it will only work for certain forms of wet AMD.

Researchers studying gene therapies and other novel interventions offer hope of preserving and even restoring vision for those suffering from macular neovascularization associated with Retinitis Pigmentosa, Stargardt’s disease or Best’s disease. By targeting genetic mutations responsible for IRDs they aim to prevent MNV forming altogether.

Schedule regular eye exams with your ophthalmologist in order to monitor the progression of macular degeneration and identify any potential issues, such as wet AMD development. Doing this will give you the best chance at maintaining an active lifestyle while at the same time keeping vision intact; there are rehabilitation techniques that can also assist you adapt comfortably and independently with decreased vision.