Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye condition that gradually destroys central vision. It occurs when light-sensing cells in the retina start to break down; initially this results in blurry vision before deposits known as drusen begin appearing beneath it.

Wet AMD can be treated using injectable medications that block growth factors that encourage new blood vessel formation, blocking their formation.

Dry macular degeneration (AMD dry)

The macula is a small area at the back of your eye that allows you to see straight ahead in color, and with age comes macular degeneration due to changes in retina (a thin layer that lines the back of the eye and sends visual signals back to the brain). When macular degeneration damages it, central vision may blur or even appear blank while peripheral vision remains relatively unchanged; AMD is an incurable progressive condition; thus its loss worsens over time.

Age-related macular degeneration comes in two varieties, dry and wet. Drusen forms under the retina and over time causes it to no longer function – this is the more commonly encountered form. Wet macular degeneration happens when abnormal blood vessels leak fluid under the retina which causes swelling of the retina which disrupts its light-sensitive function causing central vision loss, with peripheral vision usually remaining intact.

Treatment for macular degeneration focuses on slowing its progression rather than curing it completely, with various therapies offering relief or improvement to vision stabilization or improvement. Most importantly, these treatments work by inhibiting new blood vessel formation – crucial for protecting macula tissue against further damage.

Photodynamic therapy, laser treatment and injections of anti-VEGF medicines may all be effective ways of treating wet macular degeneration; the latter medication blocks new blood vessel formation while stopping them from leaking under the retina and bleeding under its surface. They’re most beneficial if begun soon after symptoms first emerge.

Other risk factors of macular degeneration include family history, smoking and obesity. Routine visits to your eye doctor allow him or her to detect early signs of macular degeneration and recommend appropriate treatments that could prevent further vision loss.

A healthy lifestyle can significantly decrease the risk of age-related macular degeneration. To mitigate your chances of macular degeneration it’s recommended to quit smoking and consume a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts and leafy greens; these measures have proven effective against its development and progression. In addition there are supplements which have shown their efficacy against macular degeneration progression – consult with your physician first before beginning any supplement program to ensure it suits you and won’t harm.

Intermediate AMD (AMD intermediate)

AMD affects the macula, the small area at the center of your retina responsible for central vision (straight ahead). You use this part of your vision for reading, driving and recognising colors; AMD can make this area of vision dim or blurry but won’t cause total blindness; rather it can make fine details more difficult to spot and could eventually leave an “empty patch” in central vision.

Early signs of wet macular degeneration may not cause symptoms or only mild ones; as the disease progresses, more noticeable and larger drusen may form on both eyes. Drusen don’t cause vision loss but they may indicate wet AMD has reached its next phase — wet macular degeneration. While scientists still don’t fully understand its cause, neovascularization under the retina appears to initiate it.

Wet AMD can also lead to vision loss, and can appear much more rapidly than dry AMD. Sudden loss of central vision or gradual vision decline are hallmarks of wet AMD; treatment usually involves anti-VEGF therapy injections to treat abnormal blood vessels that form as part of wet AMD; this medication blocks an eye growth factor which promotes new vessel formation.

Photodynamic Therapy or PDT may also be effective against wet macular degeneration, providing another means of treatment that could reduce vision loss associated with it. This procedure, known as laser light photocoagulation therapy (LASIK), may be employed against blood vessels with abnormal growths called microaneurysms that form within them. This therapy has shown promising results when administered to individuals suffering from wet macular degeneration and may help improve some aspects of their vision loss associated with disease progression.

Researchers continue their work on developing treatments for AMD. These include vitamin and nutritional supplement regimens designed to slow its progress as well as medications and laser therapies to repair existing damage to retina. Furthermore, researchers are exploring what causes AMD so as to devise ways of preventing further outbreaks in future.

UF Health’s ophthalmologists have made significant advances in combatting age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We celebrate this vital national health issue this February by honoring these remarkable breakthroughs and look forward to continuing our efforts to prevent and treat vision loss caused by AMD. If you have questions or would like assistance regarding AMD, talk to your ophthalmologist or reach out to Retina Foundation of Florida – an organization offering free screenings and educational programs throughout Florida and Georgia residents. Call them directly for more info!

Intermediate to advanced AMD (AMD advanced)

Macular degeneration, the loss of central retinal region known as the macula, is a condition often encountered after age 55 and is the leading cause of legal blindness among people over 55 years of age; also leading to frequent visits to an ophthalmologist for advice and treatment. This disease occurs when its ability to see straight ahead and in fine details declines – the macula’s function allows people to read, drive, thread needles or perform other activities requiring central vision such as reading books. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of legal blindness among adults over 55 and thus prompting visits from an ophthalmologist for advice. Age related macular degeneration is also responsible for most visits made to ophthalmologists today; age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause for legal blindness among these over 55 adults who visit an ophthalmologist for advice.

AMD usually occurs gradually and painlessly. At its initial stages, one of the first noticeable symptoms of AMD is blurred vision due to light-sensing cells becoming damaged within your macula; as this damage worsens further, you may eventually notice a small-yet-growing-blind spot within central vision. Because its progression may occur slowly over time, it is crucial that regular eye check-ups be conducted and any changes should be evaluated by an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.

At this stage of AMD, drusen grow larger and become more common under the retina, often leading to pigment changes which lead to central blind spots in vision. Although most individuals don’t experience any symptoms at this stage, regular eye exams should still be conducted for monitoring purposes.

Left untreated, advanced AMD can lead to irreparable vision loss. At UF Health, researchers are currently testing novel treatments which may delay progression towards advanced stages and improve visual acuity. These injected medications work by blocking abnormally high levels of growth factors that promote development of unhealthy blood vessels in the macula.

UF Health is exploring a novel treatment approach for wet macular degeneration that combines anti-VEGF therapy with photodynamic therapy (PDT). PDT employs nontoxic photosensitizers activated by specific wavelengths of light to produce reactive oxygen species that destroy neovascularization. Furthermore, PDT may be combined with anti-angiogenic agents for maximum effectiveness.

Studies suggest that diets rich in dark green vegetables, fruits and orange/yellow foods may help lower the risk of AMD. Unfortunately, nutritional supplements do not cure AMD; rather they simply delay progression to wet AMD. Prior to beginning any vitamin regimen for AMD management, always consult your physician first. Furthermore, smoking should be avoided and UV ray exposure limited as both can increase the risk of wet form disease. Additionally, those with early to intermediate AMD should monitor their visual acuity daily using an Amsler grid and immediately report any changes to their eye doctor. At-home monitoring devices like Foresee Home may help facilitate this process and become an additional asset when managing AMD.