Macular degeneration is an eye disease that leads to loss of central vision, making it hard to read, drive or perform other tasks requiring straight ahead vision. While both eyes typically become affected, macular degeneration rarely causes total blindness.

Macular degeneration treatments include vitamins, dietary supplements such as lutein, zinc and vitamin C; photodynamic therapy; and surgery.

Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (DAMD)

Macular degeneration (AMD) is a widespread condition affecting the macula, an area in the central portion of your retina. When this happens, light-sensitive cells known as rods and cones begin to degenerate over time causing blurry vision – it is one of the primary causes of blindness among people over 50 years of age.

Macula damage results in central vision loss; most people with DAMD don’t notice any noticeable symptoms or vision loss until it becomes severe, and will usually require an extensive eye exam by their physician to accurately diagnose DAMD.

Researchers have recently identified an effective approach for slowing macular degeneration progression in dry AMD patients. This noninvasive approach uses low levels of microcurrent to stimulate cellular metabolism, with the potential to prevent progression of eye diseases and enhance visual acuity. This study involved 28 eyes diagnosed with dry age-related macular degeneration (DAMD) and six eyes diagnosed with wet age-related macular degeneration (WAMD), who received three treatment sessions each week over three months from two eye care centers. At each session, researchers administered transpalpebral microcurrent stimulation using two programmable dual-channel microcurrent units and selected frequencies according to which tissues typically affected by disease processes were targeted for microcurrent stimulation. Snellen visual acuity measurements were made before and after each treatment session.

Multiple studies indicate that metformin use is associated with an increased risk of neovascular AMD; however, this association varies depending on cumulative dose or active drug use. A retrospective cohort study utilizing data from a national insurance claims database evaluated risk for different durations of metformin exposure as an indicator of future AMD development.

Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (WAMD)

Age-related macular degeneration (or dry AMD) is the progressive breakdown of light-sensitive cells within your macula that causes gradual loss of central vision, typically impacting both eyes but sometimes just one. Although side (peripheral) vision may also be damaged, dry AMD usually doesn’t lead to total blindness.

Scientists do not fully understand what causes dry age-related macular degeneration; however, it may be caused by factors including ageing, genetics, family history of macular degeneration, smoking or exposure to sunlight. Furthermore, its prevalence increases if other health problems such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease or diabetes exist.

Early stages of dry AMD often do not present noticeable symptoms. But as it progresses, your central vision may become clouded or distorted – with straight lines appearing crooked due to fluid from leaking blood vessels lifting and shifting macula cells – eventually creating a blind spot in your visual field resulting in difficulty reading or driving.

Although there is no cure for dry macular degeneration, research has demonstrated that certain vitamins and minerals may reduce its progression into advanced disease. These include vitamins C, E and zinc as well as certain foods like leafy green vegetables containing the pigments lutein and zeaxanthin; consult your ophthalmologist regarding taking these supplements in addition to following a healthy diet; steps such as not smoking can also help prevent progression; as can managing other health conditions that increase risk factors.

Early Symptoms

Macular degeneration is caused by the breakdown of an area of retina known as the macula, which processes detailed images from outside and sends them directly to our brain for interpretation. When this portion deteriorates, people experience painless blurriness in their central vision which makes reading or driving a car difficult as well as daily tasks such as cleaning and cooking become challenging. They may also find colors becoming less vibrant as similar shades begin to look the same – typically, the first signs of macular degeneration appear as small blurriness or dark spots which grow larger over time – usually the first signs are small blurriness or dark spots which grow larger with time indicating macular degeneration onset.

About 10% of cases progress to wet AMD, which involves abnormal blood vessels forming under the retina and progresses more quickly than dry macular degeneration, leading to rapid vision loss.

Symptoms of Wet Macular Degeneration include straight lines appearing bent or wavy, dark areas in the center of vision and distortion of straight objects. People affected may still have useful peripheral (peripheral) vision; they may just take longer to adjust between bright and darker environments or may experience difficulty driving at night or when raining.

An early macular degeneration detection exam requires a comprehensive eye exam that includes slit lamp examination and various forms of visual testing as well as additional tests such as fluorescein angiography or optical coherence tomography (OCT), to look at retina. OCT uses dye that is injected into veins before photographs are taken of how it flows through blood vessels underneath retina; medications and laser light surgery may be used to limit abnormal growth and leaks that cause damage to macula.

Intermediate Symptoms

Macular degeneration is the gradual degradation of retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye. Over time, this causes you to gradually lose your central vision – however peripheral or side vision remains clear – making reading, driving and seeing fine details impossible. Macular degeneration is painless and usually develops slowly over both eyes; however if wet form macular degeneration develops rapidly it may lead to greater vision loss than expected.

About 90% of those suffering macular degeneration have the dry form. This typically develops as people age and small clumps of yellow protein known as drusen begin to form under their retina, not leading directly to vision loss but instead signalling that a person could develop wet macular degeneration due to abnormal blood vessels leaking blood or fluid beneath their retina causing leakage of fluid into it.

If you suffer from wet macular degeneration, straight lines may appear wavy due to swelling or scarring of your macula causing blurred or distorted vision. If this symptom develops for you it is crucial that a comprehensive eye exam be performed immediately and digital retina images taken with optical coherence tomography (OCT) devices as soon as possible.

Beth Bruening can detect early symptoms of macular degeneration during a comprehensive eye exam and recommend treatments that could delay its progress or even reverse its impact on your vision.

Late Symptoms

Eye disease known as macular degeneration deteriorates the central portion of retina called the macula and impairs straight ahead vision, making reading or driving difficult while leaving peripheral vision intact. Early signs include blurry central vision and difficulty reading or seeing faces; over time this disease progresses further and you may notice straight lines appearing wavy or an expanding dark spot at the center of vision – should any such symptoms develop, seek medical advice immediately from an ophthalmologist.

Wet macular degeneration occurs when abnormal blood vessels form beneath the retina and begin leaking blood and fluid, leading to rapid vision loss. Though less prevalent than its dry counterpart, wet ARMD can still lead to rapid vision loss as blood and fluid leakage lifts the macula from its normal position in the back of your eye, leading to rapid vision loss. Early signs may include distortion in straight ahead lines or blind spots appearing centrally in your vision – early indicators that you have wet AMD.

Macular degeneration can be detected through regular eye exams with your doctor using special lenses and microscopes, while monitoring cholesterol, blood pressure and smoking levels to reduce your risk for macular degeneration. Prescription drugs or supplements, including vitamins C & E, lutein/zeaxanthin/zinc/copper may slow progression. Should macular degeneration develop, photodynamic therapy or laser treatment may be beneficial; however it only works on some individuals.