Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of severe vision
loss in adults over age 50. This eye disease occurs when there are changes to the
macula, a small portion of the retina that is located on the inside back layer of the
eye. AMD is a loss of central vision that can occur in two forms: "dry" (atrophic)
and "wet" (exudative). "The wet type occurs when fluids leak from newly formed
blood vessels under the macula. This leakage blurs central vision. Vision loss can
be rapid and severe. Most people with macular degeneration have the dry form,
for which there is no known treatment. The less common wet form may respond
to laser procedures and medication injections, if diagnosed and treated early.
Patients usually experience gradual loss of ability to see objects clearly and
distortion in the shape of objects. Central vision that is lost to macular
degeneration cannot be restored and is a sign of advanced disease. However, lowvision devices, such as telescopic and microscopic lenses, can maximize existing
vision. There is no cure for dry AMD, and any loss in central vision cannot be
restored. Dietary changes and taking nutritional supplements can slow vision
loss. The treatment of wet AMD is intravitreal injection of Anti-VEGF drugs inside
the eye. This treatment is not a cure but can stabilize and improve the amount of
visual loss. The effect of these drugs lasts for a short period of time so the
injections have to be given on a repeated basis in most patients.
