Macular degeneration is a progressive eye disease that damages central vision. It’s the leading cause of blindness among Americans over 50 and develops when light-sensing cells in the macula become damaged and stop working properly, leaving straight ahead vision blurry, hazy or even blind.

AMD can be divided into two distinct subcategories – Dry AMD and Wet AMD. Your doctor can diagnose macular degeneration through an eye exam using an Amsler grid or fluorescein angiography testing.

Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (DAMD)

Macular degeneration is a progressive vision-robbing disease, caused by damage to the retina – an inside back portion of eyeball which converts light to neural signals that the brain interprets as images. Macular degeneration damages this central portion of retina called the macula and impairs central vision as well as fine detail such as straight lines or faces; macular degeneration reduces this function gradually until fine details such as straight lines become difficult to see in low lighting environments; though not blinding, macular degeneration makes daily activities such as threading needle or reading difficult.

The most prevalent form of macular degeneration is dry type, which typically manifests gradually over time without leading to immediate visual loss. It is marked by yellow deposits known as drusen that form under the retina and are detectable during a comprehensive dilated eye exam. Although drusen don’t directly impact vision directly, they are an indicator of advanced macular degeneration as well as increased risk for wet form of this disease.

In the wet form of macular degeneration, abnormal blood vessels form beneath the retina and leak blood and fluid into the macula, damaging it rapidly and leading to vision loss if left untreated. Therefore, treating wet macular degeneration immediately is of utmost importance and should be addressed quickly.

There are various treatments that may slow the progression of wet macular degeneration, including injectable medications such as Lucentis and Avastin that inhibit new blood vessel growth in wet AMD. Other forms of therapy such as photodynamic therapy or laser treatment may also help manage it in specific instances.

Macular degeneration’s cause remains unknown; however, it appears to be part of the natural aging process. Risk factors associated with macular degeneration include age, smoking, obesity, diet and family history – having such a history doubles your chance for developing it while those more likely than not having it at an earlier age than those without such family ties are likely to experience symptoms earlier on in their lives.

Advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD)

Macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye condition affecting the macula – the area within the retina responsible for central vision or straight ahead vision – such as reading, driving, recognising faces or colors. While those suffering with advanced AMD will eventually lose their central vision they often retain peripheral vision which allows them to still see aspects around them.

Macular degeneration comes in two forms, both dry and wet. Dry macular degeneration occurs when tissues in the macula thin with age and tiny clumps of protein called drusen form under the retina, eventually leading to blurry and hazy vision. Conversely, wet ARMD occurs less commonly but more seriously; abnormal blood vessels grow into and scar the macula’s delicate retina, producing fluid leakage which interferes with its ability to function and results in severe vision loss.

Wet macular degeneration often results in sudden and significant vision loss due to its abnormal blood vessel’s tendency to break or leak blood and fluid more readily than its dry form; people living with wet AMD are likely to notice dark spots appearing at the center of their visual field, wavy or fuzzy straight lines, difficulty adapting to low light levels and distortion of geometric shapes.

Because ARMD is an age-related condition, it’s crucial that you visit your optometrist regularly for eye examinations. Your optometrist can detect early symptoms by using an Amsler grid and dilated eye exam; or they may suggest optical coherence tomography (OCT), a test which uses light waves to create cross-sectional images of your retina using optical coherence tomography technology.

No cure exists for ARMD; however, you can lessen its progression with regular exercise, healthy diet and taking your eye care provider’s recommended vitamins C, E, lutein zeaxanthin zinc copper as recommended. Your eye care provider may also suggest photodynamic therapy or photocoagulation laser procedure which uses yellow dye injected into veins with special cameras taking pictures as it travels through blood vessels in your retina.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) with Macular Edema

The macula is the part of your eye that allows for central vision – making it possible to read fine print, drive a car safely, recognize faces and colors accurately, as well as convert light to nerve signals that travel through your optic nerve to your brain. However, when age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) strikes, its function begins to break down, leading to vision loss due to central retinal breakdown resulting in impaired central vision loss for people over age 60. Macular degeneration accounts for 10% of blindness cases in America while it causes severe vision loss for people over age 60 who experience severe vision loss as their central vision gradually deteriorates over time.

Macular degeneration begins with dry macular degeneration (DAMD). There is no pain or discomfort during this stage; instead, small yellow deposits called drusen slowly accumulate behind the retina, eventually compromising central vision over time. Most individuals diagnosed with DAMD are still capable of reading in at least one eye.

Over time, the drusen can become larger and leak fluid beneath the retina, leading to macular edema – an eye condition in which fluid leakage under the retina causes leakage of fluid beneath its surface, leading to faster and more noticeable loss of central vision. This may cause blurry or distorted straight-ahead vision; as well as affect your ability to read, drive or use computers. Some individuals at this stage may also notice their colors becoming faded or less vibrant.

10% of cases of ARMD involve abnormal blood vessels proliferating beneath the retina and producing a gel-like substance, leading to rapid and more serious vision loss than dry macular degeneration. This form is known as wet macular degeneration. Wet macular degeneration results when abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina from underlayer choroid cells that leak blood or fluid into macula and form scar tissue which blurs and distorts central vision, known as wet macular degeneration.

Wet macular degeneration cannot be reversed, but there are ways to slow its progress: regular eye exams with dilation and special telescopic devices for examination of your macula can help. Furthermore, injectable medications may stop new blood vessel formation during this stage.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration with Leukoencephalopathy (ARMD-LE)

Macular degeneration affects millions of people around the world and does not result in blindness; however, they may need to find alternative means of doing things they have always done like reading or driving.

The retina consists of millions of light-sensing cells. It provides us with central or straight-ahead vision that enables us to see fine details and carry out tasks such as driving, recognising faces and seeing colors.

Age-related macular degeneration occurs when tissue breaks down over time, usually gradually and affecting one or both eyes at different rates. Central vision is affected, while peripheral (side) and color vision usually remains intact – it’s the leading cause of severe vision loss among Caucasians over 65.

Macular degeneration occurs in two forms; dry and wet. With dry macular degeneration, tiny yellow deposits called drusen begin to build up under the retina over time, slowly dismantling light-sensitive cells of the eye and leading to gradual central vision loss. Regular dilated eye exams are essential in detecting such changes so patients can take preventive steps that might slow the progression of disease progression.

Wet macular degeneration occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the macula and start leaking fluid and blood, raising its level from its usual position at the back of the eye and distorting vision in its center – sometimes subtle changes, with straight lines appearing wavy or even bent, are signs that your condition is progressing further.

Macular degeneration is a progressive condition that can result in permanent vision loss; however, treatment options exist that may help slow its progress, such as dietetic supplements such as vitamin C and E and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents such as steroids as well as injections designed to prevent this happening.

Protecting eyes from overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) and blue light exposure is also wise, and sunglasses and visor hats should be worn during periods of bright sunlight. Furthermore, smoking has been linked with macular degeneration studies. To reduce risk and maintain better vision it’s wise not to smoke either!