Macular degeneration is a devastating eye disease that threatens vision loss in millions of people over 50. It affects the macula at the center of retina, leading to vision impairment.

Macular degeneration symptoms may include distortion or wavering of straight lines on an Amsler grid, while your doctor may use optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans to check for drusen or fluid accumulation underneath the retina.

Drusen

Drusen are subretinal pale yellow deposits of lipids, proteins and cell debris. Their sizes typically range from greater than 64 mm (large drusen) to less than 63 mm (small or hard drusen), often having a glistening appearance and are often associated with ageing and AMD; they may also appear due to other conditions. They are classified based on clinical characteristics as well as imaging modalities used for diagnosis; most often seen is calcific drusen – often confluenting into large drusenoid pigment epithelial detachments; other types include reticular pseudodrusen and ghost drusen.

Drusen can be a telltale sign of wet macular degeneration, in which tiny blood vessels grow beneath the retina and leak fluid and blood, blurring vision and leading to permanent damage of the macula. This form of macular degeneration is far more dangerous than dry macular degeneration as it may lead to rapid loss of central vision.

Early stages of wet macular degeneration often leave people with relatively good peripheral vision; however, they may notice straight lines becoming wavy or blurry and possibly experiencing a dark spot at the centre of their field of vision. When this occurs it is imperative that an eye specialist be seen immediately.

Dry AMD is caused by natural aging, in which damaged cells in the macula become compromised and start to thin over time, creating pockets of protein called drusen that gradually destroy central vision in an eye. Early stages may result in some gradual vision loss but good peripheral vision remains; later stages often feature faster and more dramatic vision loss.

New research suggests that one variant of the gene CFH may contribute to soft drusen, the initial signs of wet macular degeneration. Researchers discovered that people carrying this variant have more soft drusen and higher risks of wet AMD, providing insight for designing genetic therapies for this condition.

Abnormal blood vessels

The macula is the portion of retina located at the back of your eye that provides central vision – this part allows you to read, drive, thread a needle and identify faces. But when this part begins to deteriorate, you may experience distortion or blurriness of central vision known as macular degeneration.

Macular degeneration typically manifests itself through its dry form, leading to gradual loss of central vision. Drusen deposits form under the retina and over time break down light-sensitive cells within the macula. Yet your peripheral (side) vision typically remains unaffected.

At its heart, wet macular degeneration occurs when abnormal blood vessels form beneath the retina and leak fluid into the macula, causing rapid vision loss in straight lines due to fluid from these blood vessels leaking onto central vision and distorting your perceptions. Early signs may include sudden vision changes, difficulty adapting to low lighting conditions or new blind spots appearing across central vision; moreover a general increase in blurriness or blurriness may also indicate wet AMD.

Both forms of macular degeneration can disrupt your ability to drive safely, recognize faces or read. Therefore, it’s crucial that you monitor your vision closely and reach out to Dr. Richlin OD & Associates should any significant changes occur in it.

Preventing macular degeneration with regular dilated eye exams and diet rich in antioxidants, zinc, vitamin C, lutein and zeaxanthin may be easier than you think! Nutrition such as zinc, vitamin C, lutein and zeaxanthin is shown to slow its progress by decreasing drusen production under retinas and damaging macula. Your doctor can prescribe medications that slow the growth of abnormal blood vessels or stop their leaks to increase your chances of avoiding permanent vision loss; alternatively laser surgery could be used as well.

Changes in the macula

The macula is the small area at the center of your retina (light-sensitive tissue that lines the back of the eye) that enables you to perceive fine details and straight lines. AMD damages this area, leading to blurriness or dark areas in central vision that makes driving, reading or threading needles difficult. Furthermore, colors and contrasts become impaired as a result.

Changes to the macula are characteristic of advanced macular degeneration, yet aren’t always its first symptom. At first, dry AMD may go undetected; as it progresses however, you will begin noticing straight lines appear wavy or have dark spots in their centers of vision. With wet AMD (exudative or neovascular macular degeneration), abnormal blood vessels form under the retina and start to leak blood and fluid into central vision causing rapid loss; laser surgery can destroy these new blood vessels to prevent further vision loss.

As macular degeneration is a progressive disease, it’s essential that you visit your doctor frequently in order to discuss symptoms and determine an effective course of treatment. Your exam should consist of gathering your medical history as well as performing various forms of vision testing including slit lamp examination and optical coherence tomography (OCT), which can detect fluid build-up under your retina as well as any conditions which might impact eyesight.

If macular degeneration runs in your family, your risk increases dramatically as time goes on and with age. Also keep in mind that your risk increases with age.

Early detection of wet macular degeneration increases your chances of keeping some or all of your central vision intact. Your doctor can use an Amsler grid test to assess this; simply observe black lines arranged in grid patterns and note whether or not they appear wavy or distorted. Fluorescein angiography testing could also help measure blood flow and thickness of retina.

Vision loss

Macular degeneration refers to any degradation or breakdown of the macula, an area located within your retina at the back of your eye that allows you to see fine details clearly for tasks like reading and driving. When the macula fails to function as expected, blurriness or dark spots may form within your central field of vision, although peripheral vision remains unchanged.

At an eye exam, your doctor will use a tool called a slit lamp to examine your retina for signs of macular degeneration or at-risk signs (drusen). Though not necessarily leading to vision loss, these spots indicate you may have macular degeneration – the sooner this condition is recognized and treated the less likely you’ll lose detailed vision.

If your eye doctor detects drusen, they’ll use an Amsler grid chart to assess how your macular degeneration is progressing. You should sit in a well-lit room 12-14 inches away from it, covering one eye and focusing on the black dot in its center before trying to read its lines; if they appear crooked then wet AMD has taken hold.

Wet macular degeneration is a serious form of macular degeneration caused by blood vessels under the macula leaking fluid and breaking, damaging it and leading to loss of central vision. If this type of macular degeneration affects you, regular visits with an ophthalmologist should be undertaken so they can detect early symptoms and assist in slowing its progress.

If your eye doctor suspects wet macular degeneration, they’ll inject dye into a vein in your arm and take photos of your retina to look for abnormal blood vessels. They will also use optical coherence tomography (OCT) testing to see if fluid or blood is collecting under your retina; if that occurs, your physician can treat leakage and bleeding using laser or photodynamic therapy treatments.