As you age, everything seems to be less clear. Macular degeneration (or age-related macular degeneration) is a medical condition that results in a loss of vision is the center of the visual field. It is a disease that destroys your sharp vision. It is the most common cause of vision loss in individuals over 55 years of age. While it does not lead to complete blindness, the loss of central vision can interfere with simple everyday activities. The ability to see objects will diminish.

Macula:

The macula is made up of millions of light-sensing cells in the center of retina, which enables a person to see fine detail. It is the most sensitive part of the retina. The cells turn light into electrical signals and then send these signals through the optic nerve to the brain. When the macula is degenerated, the center of your field of view may appear blurry, distorted, or dark.

Symptoms:

People with Macular Degeneration may notice a blurring of central vision, straight lines may appear distorted, and blind spots may form. In most cases, when one eye has AMD, the other eye will develop the disease. AMD can also be detected by a comprehensive dilated eye exam.

There are two types of AMD, Dry or Wet:

Dry AMD:

Dry AMD is more common in all cases, and it affects vision less than wet AMD. Dry AMD is often called atrophic, nonexudative, or drusenoid macular degeneration. Dry AMD is the accumulation of tiny protein and fat-containing “drusen” within the macula and thinning of the macula. Drusen may be from waste products of many cells and tissues of the retina. Drusen may interfere with the health of the macula, causing the increase in degeneration of the photoreceptor cells. Drusen can be present without vision loss.

For dry AMD, the reduction in central vision occurs slowly over the years. People who develop dry AMD are less likely to experience a total loss of central vision.

Wet AMD:

Wet AMD can be very dangerous. It represents about 10 percent of all cases of macular degeneration. Wet AMD is also called choroidal neovascularization (CNV), subretinal neovascularization, or exudative or disciform degeneration. It is a chronic eye disease that causes vision loss in central vision. It is caused by abnormal blood vessels growing beneath the macula and leaking fluid or blood in the region of the macula that damages the photoreceptor cells.

Most people who develop wet AMD begin with dry AMD. Yet, it is not clear what causes wet AMD. It often progresses rapidly and can cause loss of central vision.

Treatments:

Always get a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year, because most people who have a chance of developing AMD show no symptoms or loss of vision at the early stage.

This applies to every health problem: the best possible ways to prevent AMD are to exercise regularly, avoid smoking, and eat nutritious food, including green leafy vegetables and fish

• AREDS formulation – daily intake of high-dose of nutritional supplements such as vitamins and minerals could protect against AMD, they can slow progression of the AMD.

Here are the clinically effective doses tested in AREDS and AREDS2:

– 500 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C
– 400 international units of vitamin E
– 80 mg zinc as zinc oxide (25 mg in AREDS2)
– 2 mg copper as cupric oxide
– 15 mg beta-carotene, OR 10 mg lutein and 2 mg zeaxanthin

A number of manufacturers offer nutritional supplements that were formulated based on these studies. The label may refer to “AREDS” or “AREDS2.”

• EYLEA™ (alflibercept) – blocks the development of unhealthy blood vessels underneath the retina.

• Lucentis^™ (ranibizumab) – helps reduce the risk of losing vision from the abnormal blood vessel growth under the retina (wet AMD).

• Macugen^® (pegaptanib) – reduces the risk of vision loss (wet AMD) by inhibiting the growth of abnormal blood vessels under the retina.

• Visudyne^® (verteporfin) Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) – uses a light-activated drug that targets and destroys the blood vessels that cause vision loss.

• Vision-Enhancing Implantable Telescope – the use of an implantable miniature telescope (IMT) for enhancing the central vision of people with end-stage, untreatable AMD. It focuses and magnifies images onto the functional, outer regions of the retina.

Where to go for services

Low vision services can take place in different locations, including:

– Ophthalmology or optometry offices that specialize in low vision
– Hospital clinics
– State, nonprofit, or for-profit vision rehabilitation organizations
– Independent-living centers

Information for family members

Shock, disbelief, depression, and anger are common reactions among people who are diagnosed with AMD. These feelings can subside after a few days or weeks, or they may last longer. This can be upsetting to family members and caregivers who are trying to be as caring and supportive as possible:

Following are some ideas family members might consider:

– Obtain as much information as possible about AMD and how it affects sight. Share the information with the person who has AMD.
– Find support groups and other resources within the community.
– Encourage family and friends to visit and support the person with AMD.
– Allow for grieving. This is a natural process.
– Lend support by “being there.”

Sources:
http://www.blindness.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=45&Itemid=55#what-is
http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/maculardegen/armd_facts.asp