AMD may cause blurry areas of vision or cause straight lines to appear wavy; these symptoms should serve as an early warning that it’s time to visit your physician.

Macular degeneration most often takes the form of dry macular degeneration. With this form, retinal thickness thins over time as tiny clusters of protein (drusen) develop.

Early Detection

Early signs of AMD often go undetected, without warning signs or symptoms being evident. When symptoms do emerge they usually begin when the central part of the retina known as the macula thins out causing blurriness or wavy lines in vision deterioration over months or years; with early detection macular degeneration can be stopped and in some cases reversed altogether.

At least 80% of people with AMD have the dry form, in which parts of the macula thin as people age and tiny protein deposits known as drusen form under the retina – though this form does not progress as rapidly or have any treatment yet. Of the remaining 10% who suffer wet macular degeneration – however more serious and faster progressing form than dry AMD due to new, abnormal blood vessels growing under retina, which leak fluid or even cause bleeding into eyeball. Wet AMD tends to run in families more commonly affected than dry AMD but can even cause more severe effects than its counterpart.

If your family history includes AMD, it is vital that you schedule regular eye examinations to detect changes in your vision and report them promptly to an ophthalmologist. This will allow them to recommend preventative measures and lifestyle modifications tailored specifically for you such as taking certain vitamins and minerals, not smoking, staying physically active etc. They might even suggest the Macula Risk DNA test which measures eight variations across four genes known to predict wet AMD risk.

Risk factors for AMD include advanced age and family history of the disease. Gender also plays a part, with women more often than men developing AMD; Caucasians appear more susceptible due to having lighter eye pigmentation; other risk factors include diet, smoking and lifestyle habits that restrict oxygen supply to the retina such as eating foods high in fat, sodium or sugar content and being inactive.

Diagnosis

With new treatments for AMD, ophthalmologists can now reduce or delay further vision loss from AMD, and even recover some lost sight. Early diagnosis is key; therefore, regular eye exams should be scheduled.

AMD may affect one or both eyes and its severity may differ between individuals. It primarily impacts central vision – that part of the retina that allows people to clearly see fine details like straight lines, faces and written words – without altering peripheral vision – the ability to see things far away.

Though its exact causes remain unknown, certain risk factors have been associated with AMD. Age is one of the greatest contributors; those aged 50 or above have an increased chance of AMD. Family history increases risk as do smoking and eating diets high in fat but low in fruits and vegetables; additionally obesity, lack of physical activity and having had cardiovascular disease or stroke also increase this likelihood.

AMD symptoms include blurry or dimmed central vision, distortion in the center of visual field and difficulty focusing on close objects. As this disease advances it may lead to complete loss of central vision affecting driving, reading or recognising faces; with wet macular degeneration there can be an even faster decline due to newly formed abnormal blood vessels leaking blood and fluid under retina causing greater decline.

Ophthalmologists use special tools to examine the interior of eyes for signs of AMD, conducting physical exams as well as pupil dilation to gain better access to retina and optic nerve structures. Further tests, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) or fluorescein angiography may also be conducted to better evaluate eye condition.

Though no definitive cure exists for dry AMD, some patients have seen their vision slowly worsen with vitamin supplements that contain antioxidants, zinc and copper. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and omega-3 rich fish may also help.

Treatment

Although there is no cure for AMD in its advanced stages, treatment options exist that may help slow further vision loss and in many instances even restore lost sight. Early detection is key to any macular degeneration treatment plan’s success; to do this successfully it’s essential that an optometrist conduct an annual eye exam, using modern diagnostic tools, so as to detect signs such as blurry central vision or distortion in straight-on (straight on) vision that signal macular degeneration.

There are two primary forms of AMD: dry and wet. Dry macular degeneration occurs as the macula thins with age, leading to yellow deposits called drusen that form under the retina and interfere with its ability to function, leading to gradual central vision loss. There is no treatment available to treat dry macular degeneration; however, high doses of antioxidants and zinc have been proven effective at slowing its progression.

Wet macular degeneration (WAMD) is less common but more serious than its dry form, often appearing rapidly with rapid vision loss. WAMD is caused by abnormal blood vessels growing under the retina that leak blood or fluid into scarring inducing scarring on retinal pigment cells causing scarring; symptoms include blurred or distorted central vision and treatment options include laser surgery, photodynamic therapy or anti-VEGF injections.

Risk factors associated with AMD are generally out of a patient’s hands, including family history, smoking and certain health conditions such as heart disease. But there are steps they can take to help lower their chances of AMD like keeping weight under control and eating a diet rich in vegetables. Furthermore, studies conducted by National Eye Institute’s Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) have also shown that taking high dose formulations of antioxidants and zinc supplements may significantly lower risks and slow progression for those patients considered high-risk for developing it.

Prevention

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), is one of the main causes of legal blindness among Americans aged 55 or over. AMD occurs when your macula deteriorates, creating overall blurring or dark or empty areas within your vision that need attention immediately. According to Ophthalmology experts, anyone experiencing these symptoms should receive an eye exam immediately.

Nearly 80% of people diagnosed with AMD have the dry form, which is less serious and treatable with antioxidant vitamins and minerals. Dry AMD begins as your macula becomes thinner over time, leading to tiny protein clumps known as drusen appearing under your retina – these don’t usually result in vision loss at this stage; however, as they continue to expand they could eventually lead to wet AMD.

Wet AMD is more serious and irreversible vision loss. It occurs when abnormal blood vessels form under the retina and leak fluid or bleed, creating scarring which leads to rapid central vision loss. Avastin and Lucentis may help treat Wet AMD.

Researchers are exploring strategies to halt or postpone vision loss due to AMD. This includes genetic research and nutritional supplements which may slow its progress. Studies have indicated that diets high in leafy green vegetables, fish, and fruit may help lower your risk of AMD; other modifiable risk factors for AMD include smoking, regular physical activity and leading a healthy lifestyle.

UF Health is taking part in the Complications of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Prevention Trial, or CAPT. The CAPT is testing whether taking zinc and vitamin E supplements together may help slow wet macular degeneration progression among those at high risk for it. In addition, our national center for low vision rehabilitation provides services to help those who have lost sight due to AMD or other eye diseases regain it.