Dry AMD develops gradually and can lead to blurred central vision as less of the macula functions properly. If left untreated, this condition could eventually result in loss of central vision and create blind spots in your sight.

Avoid smoking and consume a diet rich in dark-leafed vegetables, deep sea fish and yellow and orange fruits and vegetables while taking nutritional supplements to slow the progression of dry AMD.

Early Symptoms

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease that gradually worsens central vision. The macula, located at the center of retina (a light-sensitive tissue that lines back of eye), becomes degraded over time as side or peripheral vision remains undamaged, but AMD can lead to permanent loss of central vision that makes reading, driving or using computers difficult.

Dry AMD typically begins with blurred vision. This occurs when less of the light-sensing cells in the macula are functioning effectively, often reduced with brighter lighting; over time it may worsen due to further degradation of light-sensing cells, leading to small blind spots which gradually grow bigger over time.

Sometimes dry AMD can progress to wet macular degeneration (WMD). In WMD, abnormal blood vessels form and leak fluid beneath the retina. This raises the macula from its original position and causes distortions of straight lines as well as ultimately losing central vision.

Both wet and dry AMD can be identified during a comprehensive eye exam, which requires dilation of your eyes. Your doctor will use an Amsler grid, a pattern similar to checkerboard that helps detect early changes to central vision. In addition, optical coherence tomography (OCT), an imaging technology which produces cross-sectional images of the retina and macula can detect drusen, macular edema, subretinal fluid.

Though no cure exists for dry AMD, nutritional intervention has been found to delay its progression. Your central Louisiana retina specialist may suggest a regimen containing antioxidant vitamins, lutein and zinc supplements as part of an AREDS formula which has been scientifically proven to delay vision loss from dry AMD.

Visits with your retina specialist are the best way to keep advanced AMD from progressing into wet macular degeneration. In the interim, protect your eyes by limiting sunlight exposure and wearing sunglasses.

Diagnosis

Dry AMD can typically be detected during a comprehensive eye exam. Your eye doctor will dilate your pupils before using an Amsler grid to detect issues in your central vision, including distortion or lack of straight lines that could indicate early macular degeneration. They may also recommend testing known as Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), an advanced technology which provides cross-sectional images of retina and macula that provide high resolution cross-section images, useful in revealing waste deposits known as drusen as well as any fluid buildup or retinal damage.

Wet macular degeneration (WMD), while less frequent but more serious, occurs when new blood vessels form underneath the retina and leak blood and other fluids into the macula, leading to rapid central vision loss. Luckily, however, Wet AMD can usually be treated through intraocular injections of medication which block abnormal vessel growth; initially these injections should be given on an ongoing basis but over time their frequency can be decreased as fluid build-up stabilizes; careful OCT scanning of macula can identify leakage long before becoming visible symptomatically – making treatment effective!

Evaluation for AMD should be prioritized if you have a family history, are over 50, smoke or take medications known to thin the blood, such as blood-thinning drugs and/or smoking. A combination of vitamins and minerals called AREDS formula has been found effective at slowing progression from dry AMD to wet AMD; you can find this formula in most pharmacies. In addition, stopping smoking and not using blood thinning medicines may lower risk factors associated with wet AMD development.

At present, there is no treatment that can restore lost central vision from wet AMD; however, early detection increases your chance of preventing further vision loss and should be seen by an ophthalmologist regularly, especially if there has been prior macular degeneration. One recent study suggests a novel injection of soluble growth factors could prevent wet AMD from forming and could provide treatment options to seven million early-stage patients currently unqualified for any form of therapy.

Treatment

Most cases of macular degeneration progress slowly and do not lead to total blindness, but wet macular degeneration may quickly cause vision loss if left untreated. When abnormal blood vessels behind the retina leak fluid or blood into the macula, vision can quickly fade away – wet AMD tends to be more serious and has faster progression of vision loss than its dry counterpart.

As opposed to its dry AMD counterpart, wet macular degeneration cannot be reversed; however, some treatments can slow its progress; for instance, laser surgery to destroy new blood vessels leading to wet AMD can help slow its progression and can be performed quickly at your doctor’s office. Some doctors are currently also testing medications given directly into the eye that work by inhibiting new vessel growth within the macula – this may help preserve vision in some patients suffering from wet AMD.

People diagnosed with early stage wet AMD can use one FDA-approved medication in addition to a special diet to delay its progression: Avastin. This injection works by blocking VEGF, which promotes blood vessel growth. Retrotope’s RT011 treatment, an isotopically stabilized form of DHA that removes uncontrolled LPO without negatively impacting DHA’s essential role within the eye, is another promising therapy.

Other research in wet AMD has focused on blocking VEGF and other factors that promote abnormal blood vessel formation in the macula, while exploring molecules which support retinal pigment epithelium function and protect photoreceptors in eyes.

If you are over 60 and experience changes to your central vision, make an appointment with an eye care provider immediately. They may use drops to dilate, or widen, your pupils so they can better examine the back of your eyes. They may also perform tests called fluorescein angiography or optical coherence tomography (OCT). In these tests, yellow dye is injected into one vein in your arm before taking photos as the dye absorbs into your retina – this will show if any new abnormal blood vessels have formed beneath.

Prevention

Kunjukunju explains that dry AMD causes macula tissue to thin as protein clumps called drusen form in its center, eventually leading to central vision gradually diminishing and eventually leading to blindness over time. Wet AMD, on the other hand, occurs when abnormal blood vessels form beneath the retina that leak blood and fluid; this type of AMD can result in rapid vision loss within weeks and it is harder to treat than dry AMD.

Macular degeneration can be treated, however. By visiting their eye care practitioner and getting regular comprehensive exams, as well as eating well (with more fruits and vegetables that contain antioxidants). Smoking accelerates macular degeneration progression; people should try not to continue doing it.

Although there is no cure yet for advanced stages of AMD, treatments can significantly lessen vision loss if caught early. When wet macular degeneration occurs, anti-VEGF injections may help stop the rapid decline in vision that often accompanies wet AMD by blocking abnormal blood vessel growth that leak blood or fluid into the eye and thus may prevent rapid vision deterioration as well as save sight but does not repair existing damage.

Research continues on what causes cells of the macula to break down, yet no cure for either form of AMD has yet been found. Individuals can take steps to protect their eyes and overall health by refraining from smoking, eating a balanced diet with dark green vegetables and fruits and visiting an eye care professional regularly – especially dry AMD as early detection offers the greatest opportunity for treatment options that could significantly decrease vision loss while enabling people to remain independent living lives of independence.