The retina is a paper-thin tissue located at the back of each eye that transmits visual information to your brain. Central vision comes from an area called macula in the retina.

Most cases of AMD occur as dry AMD, leading to gradual vision loss over time. Others develop wet AMD in which abnormal blood vessels form under the retina and leak blood and fluid onto it, which leads to rapid vision loss and central vision damage.

Vitamins

Multiple research studies have demonstrated that people suffering from certain forms of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) could potentially benefit from taking specific nutritional supplements to slow its progression.

AMD is one of the primary causes of vision loss among Americans over age 50. The condition results from damage to the central portion of the retina known as macula and causes blurriness around central vision, as well as difficulty seeing fine details when looking closely at nearby objects.

About eight out of ten people with AMD suffer from its dry form, which is marked by tiny yellow deposits called drusen that accumulate under the retina and cause gradual macular degeneration and central vision loss. According to recent research, taking vitamin C, zeaxanthin and zinc together could help halt its progress and potentially slow further progression of this form of AMD.

Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant known to protect against damage caused by light, smoke and oxygen exposure. Furthermore, it may aid in absorption of an important nutrient called lutein which absorbs harmful blue light that harms retinas. Eating foods rich in Vitamin C such as peppers, kiwifruit, oranges, spinach and broccoli may all play an important role in maintaining eye health.

In the AREDS study, a formulation combining high doses of Vitamin C, Vitamin E and beta carotene was found to significantly reduce progression to advanced AMD. Following up this work by adding pigments like lutein and zeaxanthin as well as omega-3 fatty acids helped further decrease progression risk. Furthermore, low dosage zinc also proved effective at decreasing wet AMD risk.

Treatment options for wet AMD include injections of vascular growth inhibitors or medications to stop abnormal blood vessels from growing beneath the retina, artificial lenses to improve vision, or an optical coherence tomography test which uses laser technology to create high-resolution images of all layers of retina.

Anti-angiogenesis drugs

Although advanced AMD does not yet have a cure, many patients can slow or prevent significant vision loss by taking vitamin supplements and attending regular eye exams. Anti-angiogenesis therapy may also offer relief; this therapy works by inhibiting the growth of new blood vessels within the eye – something which has become a vital step in many diseases such as macular degeneration and cancer progression.

Neovascular AMD, more commonly referred to as wet AMD, is caused by abnormal growth and leakage of blood vessels in the retina. Treatment options for wet AMD include laser surgery or instillations of anti-angiogenesis drugs into the eye to stop this growth and leakage; laser surgery or eye injections of such anti-angiogenesis drugs have shown great promise as an antidote against wet AMD.

These treatments may also help people who have already lost central vision to restore some vision loss. One drug approved to treat wet AMD is VISUDYNE (verteporfin), a monthly injection which blocks activity of a protein known to stimulate growth of blood vessels in those suffering from neovascular AMD. While this therapy provides some protection, vision loss still may continue and worsen despite this therapy.

Future treatments for neovascular AMD similar to this therapy will likely appear. There are currently hundreds of anti-angiogenesis agents being tested through clinical trials ranging from molecules produced naturally in plants, to chemicals synthesized synthetically. Organizations with strict standards for safety and effectiveness conduct these trials; typically early phase drugs carry letter and number designations while later-phase trials will list their names.

Dry AMD is one of the most prevalent forms of macular degeneration. It leads to blurry vision as the paper-thin layer of cells that line the retina degenerates, ultimately impacting details seen through macula in central retina, known as macular area or macula. A sure sign of dry AMD may appear as gray areas in your field of vision called “drusens” that appears suddenly and without warning.

Laser surgery

“Wet” AMD is caused by abnormal blood vessels developing beneath the retina (the light sensitive membrane at the back of eye) that leak fluid into subretinal space and cause rapid distortion to central vision, leading to legal blindness in just six years. Only 10% of people develop wet AMD; early signs can often be identified during an optometrist sight test when straight edges appear wobbly or letters or words move upward rather than side to side.

Laser surgery has proven extremely successful at stopping further vision loss for those living with wet macular degeneration and choroidal neovascularization (CNV). This is accomplished via photocoagulation of new blood vessels under the retina – performed as an outpatient procedure – but first requires an extensive eye exam, usually including slit lamp testing, visual tests, as well as additional special measures like fluorescein angiography to ensure accurate results.

Anti-angiogenesis medication such as Avastin or Lucentis injections are used to combat wet AMD by restricting abnormal vessel growth. These intravitreal injections can be performed quickly in an office setting using a fine needle; often multiple shots will need to be given at four-to-12-week intervals over the patient’s life span.

Ophthalmologists will also offer guidance on how you can protect your remaining vision from the effects of wet AMD. It is imperative that you utilize high doses of antioxidant vitamins, stop smoking and receive regular checkups so as to detect any changes in vision. In addition, they should teach you how to use an amsler grid which will enable them to assess central vision for distortion, and know when medical assistance should be sought for macular degeneration.

Amsler grid

Your eye doctor may ask you to look at an Amsler grid during an eye exam, which consists of straight lines arranged in a checkerboard pattern. Cover one eye and focus on the center dot of this grid; any straight lines appearing wavy could be an indicator that wet macular degeneration (WMD) has developed; WMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels under the retina begin leaking fluid which damages macula. Left untreated, WMD can lead to rapid loss of central vision so it is vitally important for patients to monitor their vision using an Amsler grid while making regular appointments with eye care professional for regular check-ups!

Your eye care professional will use drops to widen or dilate your pupils, so they can better assess the back of your eyes. They will use a magnifying lens to inspect for signs of macular degeneration or any other issues with your vision. They may ask you to look at an Amsler grid and inform them if any areas in it seem wavy, blurry, or dark; this test can detect early changes to central vision while providing an easy at-home monitoring mechanism of macular degeneration progress.

Wavy lines on an Amsler grid can be used as an early warning sign of wet macular degeneration (AMD), a serious form that can rapidly cause vision loss. If this occurs to you, make an appointment immediately with an ophthalmologist; medications or laser surgery could help stop or slow its deterioration of vision in wet AMD cases.

Macular degeneration can be prevented in several ways, including eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and not smoking, having annual eye exams with your ophthalmologist to detect any early symptoms, using Amsler Grid monitoring at home as well as optical coherence tomography to keep an eye on vision changes, as well as having regular visits from an ophthalmologist for regular screenings for signs of macular degeneration.