Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss among patients over 60, leading to blurry or hazy central vision but usually not affecting peripheral (side) vision.

ARMD symptoms typically include gradual blurriness of straight ahead vision, difficulty with reading or driving, distortion of geometric forms, and gradual blurring. Around 15% of cases involve abnormal blood vessels that grow under the retina and leak blood and fluid into it – this form of ARMD is known as wet AMDR.

Dry Macular Degeneration (Dry AMD)

Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration, more commonly known as AMD, is one of the primary causes of blindness among those over 50 years of age. It occurs when light-sensing cells in the macula degenerate and central vision gradually deteriorates over time. Blurred vision may initially occur but over time can progress into blank spots in the center of visual fields – eventually even total loss may occur in advanced cases; peripheral vision usually remains stable. By comparison, wet macular degeneration – less prevalent form of this disease – can progress much more rapidly due to blood vessel leakage from under retina into macula; people with advanced dry AMD usually retain peripheral vision but their central vision can quickly decline over time whereas wet macular degeneration, less common form of this disease develop vision loss much quicker as blood vessels leak fluid into macula cells from under retina leak fluid or other substances into its retinal area where light sensing cells and start losing light sensing ability resulting in central visual field blank spots becoming apparent over time as light sensing cells break down causing central vision gradually diminishing further until its effects become noticeable over time as its more rapid pathologic.

Dry AMD cannot be treated, but certain supplements may slow its progression. Your eye care professional can recommend supplements as well as lifestyle modifications that could improve the chances of maintaining central vision.

Macular degeneration typically presents itself in two forms – dry and wet. With dry macular degeneration, parts of the macula may thin with age and tiny protein deposits called drusen can form under the retina – both being part of natural aging processes that don’t pose any immediate threats; over time however they may lead to wet macular degeneration.

Wet macular degeneration is the more serious form of macular degeneration. It occurs when new, abnormal blood vessels form under the retina and begin leaking blood and other fluids into the macula, eventually scarring its surface and leading to central vision loss.

Wet AMD differs from dry macular degeneration in that it can be treated using medications that inhibit abnormal blood vessel growth, even potentially reversing it altogether. Your eye care professional can diagnose wet AMD by conducting a special grid test of your vision; looking out for signs such as straight lines appearing crooked.

Regular eye exams are the key to early macular degeneration detection. Your eye care professional will use dilation drops to expand your pupil and see more clearly behind your eyes, followed by examination of the macular region for signs of thinned or damaged tissue.

Leukoencephalopathy (Lymphocytic Leukoencephalopathy or LLE)

This disorder affects the material (myelin) that protects and insulates nerve cells in the white matter of the brain, as well as some blood vessels’ insulation sheaths. People living with myelin disorders are at a significantly increased risk for progressive vision loss, seizures and other neurologic problems – particularly among those immunocompromised patients such as HIV/AIDS patients but it may occur among others with compromised immunity as well; the JC virus may be the source of this disorder.

Early symptoms of this disorder include difficulty moving and coordination problems (ataxia), which worsen over time. Other symptoms include headache, difficulty speaking, confusion and memory issues; in some cases these can progress further into loss of balance and vision problems as well as weakness on one side of the body and paralysis on half the face or another side. Unfortunately this condition typically proves fatal within several months of first showing its first signs.

Diagnostic criteria for LBSL include clinical examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Early stages may exhibit bilateral symmetric optic disc pallor without retinal arterial attenuation; later stages often display a characteristic macular pattern, including grayish appearance around center of macula and abnormal electroretinography (see >Fig 5.20).

If the source of leukoencephalopathy can be identified, treatment includes taking medicines that suppress immune system. If the cause of leukoencephalopathy remains unknown, patients are evaluated by various specialists; typically neurologists for those diagnosed with LBSL; hematologist/oncologists in cases involving lymphoma or leukemia; infectious disease specialists when HIV/AIDS occurs and in some instances even rheumatologists for specific autoimmune diseases. At times, medications like AZT may help slow the decline in function; however, this is rare. Other patients tend to experience rapid progression with no respites. When discussing macular degeneration with your ophthalmologist it is essential that they identify individual risk factors as well as monitor signs that the disease could progress to wet AMD.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (Age-Related Macular Degeneration or ARMD)

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the primary causes of severe vision loss among people over 60, affecting the central portion of retina known as macula and thus restricting one’s ability to see straight ahead, read and drive as well as detect fine details of faces and colors.

ARMD is a progressive yet painless condition that typically impacts both eyes. Central vision loss occurs as a result of damage to light-sensitive cells in the macula over time, eventually leading to blurry vision. People living with ARMD typically notice wavy or crooked appearance of straight lines; some experience dark spots in their field of vision; however it rarely leads to total blindness and can usually be treated effectively using medication.

The progression of ARMD can be divided into two distinct stages. Eighty-five to ninety percent of cases of macular degeneration involve dry forms. Drusen deposits form under the retina, slowly eroding away at macula tissue over time until central vision loss becomes permanent. Meanwhile, wet form ARMD is less prevalent; abnormal blood vessels form beneath retina which leak blood and fluid onto macula tissue, causing rapid vision loss over a short time span.

If you notice blurred vision in daily activities, a visit to an ophthalmologist is crucial. An ophthalmologist can detect and treat macular degeneration at its early stages for maximum long-term vision improvement. They’ll perform a complete eye exam including slit lamp exams and vision testing; additionally they might use fundus fluorescein angiography imaging test which detects leakage from blood vessels under retina, characteristic of Wet ARMD.

Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP)

The macula is the part of your retina responsible for providing fine details, like letters on a page or clock hands. When macular degeneration destroys this area of your retina, central vision becomes impaired making reading or driving much harder. But you still have peripheral vision, enabling you to recognize objects around you. Dry AMD is the most prevalent form of macular degeneration; this occurs when yellow deposits known as drusen form under the retina and eventually cause its degradation over time. Dry macular degeneration usually progresses slowly, without leading to complete blindness. However, if your eye doctor detects drusen under your retina during a dilated eye exam, you could benefit from treatment with vitamin A (eye drops or gel) and antioxidants like zinc and copper, which have been proven to slow progression of dry macular degeneration.

Wet macular degeneration (wet AMD), on the other hand, progresses more quickly and leads to more dramatic loss of vision than its counterpart, dry AMD. This form occurs when abnormal blood vessels form under your retina that leak or burst and cause hemorrhages – early treatment could save your vision! While wet AMD is less likely to progress than dry AMD over time, it remains one of the primary causes of severe vision loss among adults over 50.

Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited disorder in which light interacts differently with your retina, making it hard for images to appear clearly and color perception to function normally. RP can lead to night blindness, a narrowing of visual field width and tunnel vision if left untreated.

As yet, no treatment exists that can reverse RP’s vision loss; however, research is underway into medications which may prevent or delay further vision loss from the condition. Furthermore, patients may use special devices and techniques to maximize what vision remains, including special lighting strategies, reading strategies, or any adaptations that might help make the most out of what little vision remains; some even use adaptations like glasses as well.