Age Related
Macular Degeneration
Definition of Age Related Macular
Degeneration
Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a
disease associated with aging, characterized by
damage to the central part of the retina called
macula.
Dry AMD
It is the most common form found in 90% of
patients. Dry AMD occurs when the macular
tissues get thin and slowly lose function. The
most common symptom of dry AMD is blurred vision
which causes difficulty in recognizing faces,
increases light requirement for reading and
other tasks. Visual deterioration is slow but
usually not profound. About 10-20% of people
with dry AMD advance to the wet form.
Wet AMD
It is the less common but more aggressive form
of AMD. If it is not treated it may get worse
rapidly. Wet AMD is caused by proliferation of
abnormal blood vessels under the retina which
may exude or leak out fluid, or bleed and
ultimately lead to the formation of a scar under
the retina.
Symptoms of AMD
- Diminution of vision in an important
symptom of macular degeneration. This lack
of ability to see objects clearly affects
ones ability to read, drive and see details.
- Straight lines appear crooked or wavy.
- A dark area appears in the centre
of vision e.g. words in the central part of
the page look smudged.
Having one or more of these symptoms may
not necessarily mean that one has AMD and it
warrants an immediate eye check up (early
detection is important).
Risk Factors for AMD
Age - is the greatest risk factor. Although
AMD can occur during middle age, studies
show that people over 60 years of age are at
great risk. The risk increases with
increasing age.
Family History of AMD increases the risk.
Race - White populations are more
predisposed to suffer vision loss from
neovascular AMD than Asian or African
populations.
Smoking has a definite correlation.
History of hypertension, heart disease,
or lung infection adds to risk.
Detection of AMD
Early detection is important as smaller
lesions have a better recovery and chance of
maintaining reading vision than advanced
cases with larger lesions and fibrotic
changes.
Your ophthalmologist may suspect AMD if you
are over 60 years of age and have recent
changes in central vision. To establish a
diagnosis a comprehensive eye check up is
done.
Visual Acuity test - This eye
chart test measures how well you see at
varying distances.
Amsler Grid - In this test the
patient wearing his reading glasses, covers
the opposite eye and looks at the black dot
in the centre of the test page (checker
board pattern) to check for any area which
is distorted, blurred, discolored or not
visible. It is a useful test to detect early
changes and can be done routinely by the
patient at home.
Dilated eye examination - To look
for signs of the disease your doctor will
use drops to dilate or widen the pupil. With
a special magnifying lens and a light source
your doctor will examine your retina.
Dilating drops hamper close vision for
around 4-5 hours.
Treatment Of Dry Age-Related Macular
Degeneration
Regular Amsler grid monitoring to detect
conversion of dry form to wet form is
important.
Precautions and Life style changes
- Yearly complete eye check up.
- Regular Amsler monitoring once patient
is diagnosed to have AMD.
- Anti-oxidants to decrease progression of
AMD.
- Healthy diet rich in green leafy
vegetables and fish.
- Avoid smoking.
- Maintain normal BP.
- Exercise and avoid obesity.
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