Macular degeneration, also known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), due to its prevalence in people over 50 years of age, is an eye disease that impairs straight-ahead, fine detail vision. The macula is located at the back of the eye near the center of the retina. When it deteriorates, patients may have difficulty with activities that require the central vision, such as: reading, sewing, driving, and recognizing faces.
AMD varies in severity – from blurry vision to complete loss of central vision, can affect one or both eyes, and can be classified as either the wet type or dry type of macular degeneration.
Dry – The dry type of macular degeneration is the most common form of AMD and affects central, or straight-ahead, vision. Yellow deposits, called drusen, found under the retina cause the patient to have blurred or distorted vision. The breakdown of particular cells and tissue in the macula is thought to be the cause of these deposits. Dry AMD advances to Wet AMD in about 10 percent of patients.
Wet – Wet macular degeneration is more advanced than dry macular degeneration. The body attempts to heal the damaged retinal tissue generated in dry AMD by forming new blood vessels under the retina. Due to their fragility, these new vessels can leak blood and fluid, causing more damage to the tissues. This causes distortion to the macula and results in decreased vision. Although wet AMD is the less common form of macular degeneration, it is considered severe and can cause rapid loss of central vision.
Dr. Smith diagnoses AMD by first performing a comprehensive, dilated eye exam. He then uses ocular coherence tomography (OCT) and/or fluorescein angiogram for a more conclusive evaluation of the macular degeneration.
Treatment of macular degeneration can cause significant improvements in vision, sometimes even to excellent levels and usually slows or stops the progression of the disease. Upon diagnosing a patient with AMD, Dr. Smith may perform a laser procedure, prescribe treatment such as an anti-VGEF medication (Eylea, Lucentis or Avastin), and follow the patient carefully to monitor the condition.
