In eye care, some conditions can have minimal to no effect on the vision and structural integrity of the eye. However, certain conditions can cause irreparable damage to best corrected visual acuity. One such condition that affects the central portion of the vision is macular degeneration.
Age-related Macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition that typically is found in older adults above the age of 50. It can appear in those younger than 50, although it is usually less common. AMD affects the macula, a structure located at the very back of the eye in the retina. AMD is caused by the cells of the macula becoming less effective at removing regular cellular waste. The waste then accumulates in the macula, leading to AMD.
The macula provides us with our central vision, offering the best visual acuity. When AMD is present, it can affect the central vision, causing blur and, in advanced cases, irreparable vision loss. AMD is a result primarily of age; however, prolonged UV radiation and smoking can also lead to early onset and exacerbation of AMD. Another risk factor is genetics; if a patient has a family history of AMD (immediate family, especially father, mother, siblings, etc.), they are also at a higher risk of developing AMD.
Not all AMD is the same. There are varying severities of AMD and 2 main types: dry AMD and wet AMD. Wet AMD is the more potentially visually devastating of the two. With wet AMD, blood from the vasculature underneath the macula has ruptured, causing blood to pool in the back of the eye. This is, thankfully, the less common type of AMD and may require surgical intervention, such as injections in the eye or laser procedures to slow bleeding in the back of the eye. The most common type of AMD is dry AMD. Dry AMD still has varying severities and can still be potentially visually devastating, but in many cases, regularly monitoring vision with an eyecare provider may be the most effective treatment. In both cases, prescription glasses may or may not improve vision, depending on the severity.
The most important way to monitor for AMD is to be regularly seen by an eyecare provider. In addition to regular screenings, several lifestyle modifications can help patients delay the onset of AMD and, in many cases, prevent its occurrence altogether. Quality UV protection, including polarized lenses that block both UV-A and UV-B, is a crucial step that can protect your eyes when outside in the sun. Also, diet modification can have a significant impact. A diet which is high in antioxidants, such as green leafy vegetables and bright colored fruit. And lastly, smoking cessation. Smoking, along with being detrimental to the rest of the body as a whole, is heavily linked with both early onset of AMD and exacerbation of wet and Dry AMD. Sometimes, specific vitamins may also be beneficial.
With AMD, regular check-ups and lifestyle changes can potentially preserve vision. We all have only one set of eyes, so make sure to take care of the one we have!