Macular degeneration is a condition in which the central area of your retina deteriorates, leading to loss of straight ahead vision. While this does not interfere with side or peripheral vision, macular degeneration can make reading, driving and detailed work such as threading a needle much more challenging and frustrating.

Dry and Wet AMD are two forms of retinal detachment. Wet AMD is more serious, caused when abnormal blood vessels form beneath the retina that leak fluid into its vicinity.

Dry AMD

The dry form of AMD is a slow progression that gradually results in the loss of central vision, due to age-related degradation of light-sensitive retinal cells. Over time this can create blank patches in central vision without impacting peripheral vision.

Macular degeneration characterized by macular atrophy is marked by small protein deposits called drusen that form under the retina and lead to gradual central vision loss as retinal cells waste away and die (geographic atrophy).

Unfortunately, dry macular degeneration cannot be treated. It is the most prevalent form of the condition and a leading cause of permanent blindness among older adults. Therefore, regular eye examinations with a retina specialist are advised. They will test for any presence of drusen as well as administer specific tests such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescein angiography to detect early warning signs of dry macular degeneration.

Macular degeneration increases your risk based on factors like family history and race; other risks may include smoking, obesity, cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure.

Dry AMD progression can be reduced with certain vitamins and minerals such as zinc and antioxidants available from your pharmacist or ophthalmologist, such as zinc supplements and antioxidants. Some patients find they help maintain vision even as advanced AMD sets in. Your doctor will customize a plan tailored to your specific needs to provide these supplements, while also suggesting eating plenty of fruits and vegetables while cutting down on saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol intake.

The “wet” form of AMD

Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels form under the retina and leak fluid onto it, damaging macula vision loss quickly and may eventually lead to permanent blindness. Regular visits to an eye doctor will allow him or her to look out for early warning signs such as thin retinal layers or medium-sized drusen growths; as soon as these signs are noticed, treatment can begin in order to possibly save vision.

Anti-VEGF medications may help treat wet macular degeneration. They work by restricting abnormal blood vessel growth and slowing their leaking. Anti-VEGF medications must be injected directly into the eye with a very fine needle; in certain instances laser surgery can also be employed to decrease their number and stop leakage.

At this stage of disease progression, it may also cause a small dark spot or “blind spot” in the center of your field of vision caused by light-sensing cells being lost from the macula – something only visible under bright lighting conditions. By treating quickly it may be possible to prevent central vision loss altogether and lead a full life.

Regular treatment with high-dose vitamins and nutrients recommended by your doctor will help preserve or restore your vision, including taking vitamins C, E, Lutein and Zeaxanthin as well as zinc and copper supplements. Furthermore, discussing a diet low in saturated and trans-fats with your physician could reduce your risk of wet AMD.

Laser treatment

Macular degeneration occurs when part of the retina known as the macula deteriorates. This area is responsible for central vision, enabling you to see details clearly while performing tasks such as threading a needle or driving safely.

Dry macular degeneration occurs when tiny deposits called drusen form under the retina, gradually getting thinner over time and eventually leading to your vision diminishing. Unfortunately, there are currently no effective treatments available for this form of macular degeneration.

Wet macular degeneration is caused by abnormal blood vessels which grow and leak fluid into the retina, creating an advanced form of macular degeneration that can result in permanent blindness.

Researchers have developed a laser technique that may reduce progression of wet AMD, as well as improve vision quality for patients living with this condition. The study included 203 patients at different stages of macular degeneration who were treated twice weekly using a semiconductor laser diode for four weeks to transconjunctivally irradiate their macula transconjunctively with transconjunctive laser diodes that transmitted wavelengths transconjunctively onto it.

Macular photocoagulation uses laser technology to seal off abnormal blood vessels that leak fluid into the eye. While it cannot restore vision that has already been lost, this treatment may help prevent more serious damage from developing in future and reduce risk for retinal detachments.

UW researchers are also testing other treatments for macular degeneration, including photodynamic therapy, gene therapy and numerous drugs. To protect yourself against macular degeneration it’s essential that you receive regular medical eye exams so schedule yours today!

Medications

Dry macular degeneration cannot yet be cured, but there are ways to slow vision loss and even restore some. Early diagnosis and treatment can help stop progression of this disease; so be aware of which symptoms to watch out for and seek medical care as soon as you notice any changes in your vision.

“Wet” AMD occurs due to abnormal blood vessels that leak fluid under the retina, leading to blurred or distorted vision and rapid loss of straight ahead or central vision; side or peripheral vision typically remains unaffected.

There are medications available that can treat neovascular macular degeneration, known as anti-angiogenic drugs, which work by stopping abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage. Most commonly prescribed anti-angiogenic drugs are Lucentis and Avastin; both FDA-approved, proven effective through clinical trials, with Susvimo (brolucizumab) recently joining this family of anti-angiogenic treatments as an additional remedy that has shown superior effectiveness with fewer injections required per eye.

Studies have been done to see if certain antioxidant vitamins or nutritional supplements could prevent macular degeneration from progressing further. There is some evidence that the nutrients lutein and zeaxanthin may reduce wet macular degeneration risk among high-risk patients; they can be found naturally in foods like kale, raw spinach and collard greens; they’re also available over-the-counter or through your eye doctor as supplements.

Surgery

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness among adults over 50 in the US, and is an incurable progressive disease that gradually destroys central vision, making it hard to read, drive or recognize faces or colors. Macular degeneration occurs when light-sensing cells in the retina (lining behind eyeball) begin to degenerate and stop working – this may not even be painful and might only become evident once more vision becomes blurry or hazy – macular degeneration should never be considered “silent killer”, however; optometrist exams provide ample opportunity to detect it early enough.

Most patients suffer from dry AMD, which is characterized by the formation of yellow protein deposits known as drusen under their retinas, leading to its thinning and subsequent stopping to function properly. Meanwhile, wet macular degeneration results from abnormal blood vessels growing beneath the retina that start leaking fluid onto its macula, thus damaging it over time.

Wet macular degeneration tends to be more severe than dry forms and requires immediate treatment. Medication used to restrict abnormal blood vessel growth and stop leaks are employed in treating wet AMD; such agents, known as anti-vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors (VEGF inhibitors), have proven highly successful at decreasing permeability while improving visual acuity for those affected by wet AMD.

As well as prescription and over-the-counter drugs to slow macular degeneration’s progression, other medications and vitamins such as vitamin C, E, L-lutein zeaxanthin zinc copper should also be discussed with your optometrist from Dr. Richlin OD & Associates to assess your personal needs and tailor a supplement regimen accordingly.