Macular Degeneration

What is macular degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) occurs when part of the retina (the nerve cells that capture images in the back part of your eye) is damaged. Specifically, the macula — the middle of the retina — starts breaking down. Your macula provides central vision, so a damaged macula causes disruptions in straight-ahead vision.

There are two forms of macular degeneration. 

Dry AMD

Dry AMD occurs when drusen (protein and lipid) deposits appear in the macula and the macula thins. It causes a gradual decrease in central vision. Virtually all cases of macular degeneration start as dry AMD. Dry AMD occurs in early, intermediate, and late stages. 

Wet AMD

With wet AMD, abnormal new blood vessels grow beneath your retina. The blood vessels are prone to rupture, which causes blood and other fluids to leak and scar the macula. Wet AMD causes faster damage and vision loss than dry AMD. This type of AMD is always late-stage.

Only 10-15% of people with dry macular degeneration progress to wet AMD. 

What are the signs of macular degeneration?

Early AMD doesn’t usually cause any obvious vision issues. Intermediate macular degeneration may cause minor issues like blurry central vision or increased difficulty seeing in low-light environments. 

Late macular degeneration causes notable symptoms, such as: 

• Straight lines look curved or crooked
• Blurry or blank spots in your central vision
• Colors look duller
• Difficulty recognizing faces
• Difficulty seeing your phone screen, reading, or doing other close-up visual tasks

Because these symptoms don’t usually start until you’re already in the late stage of the disease, it’s important to have regular macular degeneration screenings. Northwest Eye Specialists performs AMD screenings during comprehensive eye exams and diabetic eye exams to detect macular degeneration before it progresses.

Are there any treatments for macular degeneration?

The main approach for dry AMD is nutritional therapy using a specific blend of supplements. A major research study showed that taking these supplements daily could help delay AMD progression.

Wet AMD is treatable using leading-edge strategies like laser photocoagulation, which closes leaking blood vessels. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections are another way to close unhealthy blood vessels and prevent further vision loss.

Northwest Eye Specialists explains the different treatment options and helps you make lifestyle changes to compensate for vision changes caused by AMD. 

Call Northwest Eye Specialists or book an appointment through online scheduling now.