Eye doctors can detect early AMD by conducting a comprehensive, dilated eye exam and looking out for any yellow deposits known as drusen that form beneath the retina.

Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow and leak blood or fluid into the macula resulting in distortion, leading to quicker vision loss than dry ARMD. It should not be underestimated.

Diagnosis

Scientists are making great strides toward developing effective treatments and slowing the progression of AMD. Ophthalmologists – physicians who specialize in medical and surgical eye care – can only assist their patients if AMD is diagnosed early enough, and fully understood as an eye disease. It’s therefore vital that regular appointments be scheduled with your eye doctor so you can have your eyes thoroughly evaluated.

ARMD is an eye disease that affects the central part of the retina known as the macula, which is responsible for central vision. When light-sensing cells break down in this part of your retina, your central vision becomes impaired; fine details may still be visible but reading, driving and recognising faces becomes challenging. A dark spot often forms at the center of vision as a symptom; fortunately if caught early it may not lead to permanent loss.

Dry macular degeneration (ARMD) is the most prevalent form of AMD. This occurs when the retina thins out and small yellow protein deposits called drusen appear under it. Drusen usually do not interfere with vision directly, but if they grow larger or become numerous enough, they could block light transmission leading to blurred central vision in AMD patients.

Are You at Risk of AMD? Smoking and high blood pressure increase the chances of dry macular degeneration; to lower these risks further exercise regularly while adhering to a healthy diet including leafy green vegetables, fruit and egg yolks can provide essential lutein and zeaxanthin nutrients which could potentially slow its progress.

Wet macular degeneration (ARMD) is less prevalent but more severe than its dry form, developing when abnormal blood vessels leak fluid under the retina. Your doctor can inject medication into your eye to decrease abnormal blood vessel growth and slow their leakage rate, or shine a laser beam at them to destroy them.

Early Symptoms

AMD typically manifests itself as dry macular degeneration, in which the macula (part of retina that provides central vision) gradually thins over time without always producing symptoms. Another form of AMD known as wet macular degeneration occurs when new blood vessels form within retinal blood supply leak or bleed fluid into its structures causing distorting fluid build-up that leads to central vision loss and distorts its structure further.

Macular degeneration affects two types of patients and may cause blurry distance and near vision, distortion of straight objects and dark spots in the center of visual field, as well as difficulty driving, reading or performing other activities requiring central vision. Regular eye exams with an experienced doctor will detect any changes that could indicate either type of macular degeneration, and can recommend treatment as necessary.

Wet macular degeneration symptoms begin with a blurry central area in your vision that gets gradually blurrier over time, becoming worse with each passing day. Over time, straight lines may appear wavy and colors become muted as this progressive disease advances. If diagnosed, treatments to slow its progress may be required – your eye doctor may give an Amsler grid test to check for changes to central vision.

If your family history of macular degeneration increases your risk, age and race will only exacerbate that risk further. Smoking, high cholesterol levels and cardiovascular disease may all play a part in its progression.

Macular degeneration cannot be completely avoided, but taking certain vitamins and minerals may slow its progress. Furthermore, getting regular eye exams – particularly as you age – with a trusted ophthalmologist will increase the odds that any signs of macular degeneration are detected before any noticeable vision problems develop, giving you the best chance at receiving treatment before any serious symptoms emerge.

Risk Factors

Ophthalmologists today are more equipped than ever to detect early signs of AMD and even slow its progression, but these tools cannot assist patients without regular comprehensive eye exams – particularly those at increased risk.

Age is the primary risk factor, with those over 50 being at increased risk. There’s also a genetic component, as having an immediate family member living with AMD is an indicator of increased likelihood. Other risk factors may include smoking history, high blood pressure levels or Caucasian ancestry.

Macular degeneration typically begins as dry macular degeneration, leading to blurred vision due to the loss of light-sensing cells in the retina. Over time this form can progress into wet macular degeneration with more rapid progression that often leads to permanent vision loss.

Researchers are uncovering lifestyle factors that can reduce risk factors associated with Alzheimer’s, including quitting smoking, wearing sunglasses in bright sunlight, eating fruits and vegetables daily, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol consumption to recommended limits, reducing body weight by restricting caloric intake and cutting back on saturated fat intake as well as taking other steps such as wearing sunglasses in direct sunlight and making lifestyle changes to reduce risks like drinking excessively or wearing sunglasses when outdoors, wearing sunscreen while outdoors in bright sun or getting regular exercise. Alcohol has been linked with an increased risk; modifiable factors like reducing body weight or restricting consumption could help mitigate this increased risk factor.

Research has also identified an association between certain genes and macular degeneration progression. A DNA test called Macula Risk can detect whether you carry one or more of these genes and place you into one or more categories that indicate wet macular degeneration as likely progression.

Your doctor can order this test with just a cheek swab, and results should arrive within three to four weeks. Once received, these results can help your physician recommend preventative measures or nutritional supplements that will slow progression of disease. Your Macula Risk test only needs to be conducted once since genetic predisposition does not change over time; according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology guidelines for adults without symptoms or risk factors should undergo baseline eye disease screening at age 40 before following up with regular comprehensive medical eye exams every one or two years until age 65.

Treatment

The macula is the part of your retina that allows you to detect details and colors as well as reading. AMD can alter this central vision, making everyday tasks such as driving or reading difficult and even creating blind spots or blurred areas in central vision. Since AMD is progressive disease that worsens over time, monitoring eyes regularly for changes can detect any problems early and provide treatment solutions.

Dry macular degeneration (DMAD) is an early stage of AMD that develops when RPE cells and fluid build-up in the back of the eye cause wavy lines, blurry vision and distortion – without impairing peripheral vision but instead leading to gradual decline over time. Sometimes first signs of dry AMD don’t show until years have gone by and many don’t notice changes until consulting their eye doctor about any possible changes in vision.

Later stages of AMD can cause irreparable macula damage. At this point, wet AMD occurs; new abnormal blood vessels form beneath the retina that leak fluid or form scar tissue, damaging macula cells directly and rapidly leading to vision loss. Symptoms of wet AMD tend to manifest suddenly with symptoms quickly becoming evident resulting in rapid vision loss.

MACUGEN is one of the primary treatments for wet AMD, administered via injection to target abnormal blood vessels that leak or grow. Other therapies like photodynamic therapy and laser treatment may be utilized, targeting abnormal vessels that form in wet AMD to help prevent severe vision loss. Your UF Health eye care provider can recommend the most appropriate solutions based on current research; taking vitamin supplements containing antioxidants and zinc could also slow its progress.