Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Frequently Asked Questions

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of permanent vision loss in adults in the U.S. Recent studies have found that 78% of people with AMD already have irreversible vision loss by the time they see a specialist. Scheduling an eye examination regularly can help in the early detection and effective treatment of this eye condition.  

Continue reading to discover the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about AMD. 

What Is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

The macula is a part of the retina responsible for giving you sharp vision. In patients with AMD, the macula breaks down, resulting in gradual or sudden central vision loss. AMD is a leading cause of vision loss among seniors, but does not usually cause total blindness. However, losing your central vision due to AMD can cause difficulty distinguishing faces, driving, reading and doing close-range work.

The progression of AMD varies by individual. This eye condition does not often manifest symptoms in the early stages, which many people don’t know they have it until the condition has already progressed and they’ve experienced some degree of vision loss. This is just one of the many important reasons to schedule eye exam appointments regularly. 

What Are the Two Types of AMD?

There are two types of AMD: wet and dry. As you age, your macula can become thinner, potentially resulting in atrophic or dry AMD. This type of AMD is more common and occurs in three stages, which are early, intermediate and late. Most times, it gradually progresses over several years. While it can’t be treated in its later stages, there are ways to maximize the vision you’ve had left. You can also still protect your other eye if it doesn’t have late dry AMD.

Neovascular or wet AMD is not as common as dry AMD, and sufferers tend to lose their vision more quickly. All stages of dry AMD can become wet AMD, but wet AMD is always the late stage. It occurs due to the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the back of the eye, which harms the macula. Fortunately, there are several treatment options for wet AMD.

What Are the Common Indications of AMD?

The symptoms of AMD are different depending on the stage. Dry AMD occurs in three stages while AMD is progressive, meaning its symptoms can worsen over time. It’s not uncommon for early dry AMD to be asymptomatic. Some people with intermediate dry AMD may not experience symptoms either, but others may start noticing slight blurriness in their central vision or find it harder to see in dim light.

Whether it’s the wet or dry type, patients with late AMD are the ones who experience the most changes in their vision. Late AMD sufferers may see blurry spots near the center of their vision. As time passes, the blurry area may expand, and patients may see blank spots in their field of vision. Colors may also not be as vibrant as they used to be, and it could be a challenge to see in low-light situations.

How Do I Know If I’m at Risk?

The older you get, the higher your risk for developing AMD. Individuals older than 55 are more likely to have this eye condition. If someone in your family has AMD, you are more likely to develop it too. Caucasians and smokers are also at higher risk. You are at increased risk if you are taking certain medications, such as phenothiazine derivatives, chlorpromazine, thioridazine, fluphenazine, trifluoperazine and perphenazine. 

How Is AMD Diagnosed?

How frequently do you see an optician or eye doctor? Many people only visit an eye care professional when they notice changes in their vision. However, this shouldn’t be the case. Routine eye exams go a long way in detecting different eye conditions that lead to vision loss, including AMD. 

During a routine eye exam, a specialist can check your eyes for early signs of AMD. When detected early, you can start treatment immediately, which can help delay symptoms or reduce their severity. Besides checking your vision, your eye doctor can also examine your retina, the part of your eye that receives light. They will check if there are small yellow deposits or drusen under the retina, a usual early indication of AMD.

Your doctor may ask you to look at an Amsler grid or a pattern of straight lines resembling a checkerboard. If you see that some lines are wavy or missing, you may have macular degeneration. After a routine eye examination, if your eye doctor believes you have AMD they may request further testing such as an optical coherence tomography and/or fluorescein angiography. 

What Are the Treatment Options?

If you have AMD, your treatment options depend on the type and stage. At present, there’s still no treatment for early AMD. What specialists can do is to keep track of your eyes through regular eye checks. Taking certain dietary supplements can help people with intermediate AMD by preventing it from progressing to the late stage. If only one of your eyes is affected by AMD, these supplements may slow down the condition’s progression in your other eye. Other AMD treatment options include injecting anti-VEGF drugs into the patient’s eye and photodynamic therapy (PDT), a two-step treatment using a light-sensitive drug to harm abnormal blood vessels. 

What Can You Do to Prevent AMD?

Find out If You Have a Family History of AMD

If you have a family history of AMD, you should be more vigilant about watching for symptoms and having regular eye checks. Some of the most common early signs of the eye condition include difficulty adapting in low light, seeing straight lines that look wavy and having trouble recognizing faces. 

Keep Track of Your Vision

Treatments tend to be more beneficial when AMD is detected early. If you have AMD, you can keep track of your vision by looking at an Amsler grid every day. If you notice something wrong with the lines, it’s best to seek professional help. 

See Your Eye Doctor Regularly

Routine eye exams are also essential if you are at high risk. If you are 65 or older, your eye exam should include testing for AMD. See an eye care professional immediately if you are experiencing symptoms of the condition. 

Eat a Nourishing Diet

A healthy lifestyle can help with slowing the progression of AMD. Eat balanced, nourishing meals every day, including plenty of leafy greens. Green vegetables are filled with antioxidants, helping protect your body and eyes from free radicals. 

Maintain a Healthy Weight and Good Blood Pressure

Did you know that high blood pressure can also contribute to the development of AMD? Hypertension can cause poor blood flow to your eyes. One way to help lower your blood pressure is to shed off those excess pounds. Even losing a small amount of weight is beneficial, especially among people with hypertension. 

Keep Your Eyes Protected When Going Outside

Before heading out, make sure to wear UV-blocking sunglasses. Repeated exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays can damage your retina. You can also wear a wide-brimmed hat for further protection.