Macular degeneration, also called AMD (age-related macular degeneration), is a relatively common eye disease that progressively worsens over time. In 2010, 2.07 million Americans had AMD, and that number is expected to rise to 5.44 million by 2050. The condition is usually diagnosed in people older than 50 years and can lead to vision loss in severe cases.
Unlike a similar eye disease, glaucoma, AMD is most prevalent among Caucasians and less common among African-Americans and Hispanics. In fact, 14% of Caucasian Americans over the age of 80 suffer from macular degeneration.
Symptoms of macular degeneration
People with macular degeneration may have distorted or blurry vision or see black spots in the middle of their vision. Some other symptoms may cause colors to become less bright or intense, straight lines to appear crooked, objects to seemingly shrink in size, and even hallucinations (Charles Bonnet syndrome).
Types of macular degeneration
There are two main types of age-related macular degeneration: Dry AMD and wet AMD.
Dry AMD has no treatment and is caused by the accumulation of extracellular material in the back of the eyes. It’s the most common type of macular degeneration. Dry AMD usually worsens over the course of several years.
Wet AMD is caused by abnormal blood vessels leaking fluid into the eye’s macula. It’s less common than dry AMD and worsens in a matter of days or weeks. This type of macular degeneration can be treated, however.
Treating AMD
As stated above, dry AMD cannot be treated, but treatments do exist for wet AMD. Treating wet AMD involves getting regular eye injections and treatment with light (photodynamic therapy).
Eye injections for wet AMD are effective, preventing vision from getting worse in 9 out of 10 people and improving vision in 3 out of 10 people. They’re given every 1-2 months for a length of time determined by your eye doctor.
Photodynamic therapy involves shining a light into the back of your eyes to target and destroy abnormal blood vessels. The treatment needs to be done every few months and may be done in conjunction with eye injections.
Preventing macular degeneration
There are some lifestyle changes you can make to prevent macular degeneration. Although genetics play a big role in the development of AMD, other risk factors can be responsible as well. Smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity all raise your risk for AMD. Leading a healthy life can significantly reduce your chances of developing macular degeneration.
Written by Natan Rosenfeld