Age-Related Macular Degeneration

What Is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration is a retinal disease that occurs when the macula (the central part of the retina that processes fine-detail vision) begins to gradually deteriorate, most often due to age. It is the leading cause of legal blindness in the United States among people over 65 years of age.

The loss of central vision associated with AMD does not cause complete blindness. Loss of central vision makes it more difficult to read, do up-close work, see faces, or drive. It negatively impacts the quality of life.

Types of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

There are two types of AMD: dry macular degeneration and wet macular degeneration. Below, we’ve gone into detail about each type of AMD:

Dry AMD

Dry AMD is the most common form of AMD, affecting 85% to 90% of people who have the disease. In dry AMD, tiny yellow deposits of fatty protein called drusen slowly accumulate underneath the macula. This leads to thinning and loss of nerve cells in the macula, which causes loss of fine-detail central vision. There is no known cure for dry AMD, although it tends to progress slowly. However, about 10% of those with dry AMD will develop wet AMD, which can cause rapid vision loss.

Wet AMD

Wet AMD involves the growth of abnormal blood vessels under the retina and macula. These abnormal blood vessels are very fragile and can easily leak or bleed. This causes the macula to bulge or lift up from its normal position, leading to distortion or blurring of central vision. Vision loss can be rapid and any sudden change in central vision requires a prompt dilated eye examination. Once wet AMD develops in one eye, there is a high chance the other eye will develop it as well.

Symptoms of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

​Macular degeneration symptoms of age-related macular degeneration can include:

1. Dark or blurry spots in central vision
2. Straight lines appearing wavy or distorted
3. Difficulty reading or seeing details in low light environments
4. Change in color perception
5. Difficulty recognizing faces

What Causes Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

There are a wide range of things that can increase your chances of developing AMD. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

• You are over the age of 60
• You have a family history of AMD
• You are Caucasian
• You smoke
• You have high blood pressure
• You have heart disease
• You have high cholesterol levels

Diagnosis of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

AMD can be diagnosed through a comprehensive dilated eye examination in which your retina and macula are visually examined for signs of AMD. Additionally, you may be asked to look at an Amsler grid, which can indicate distorted, wavy, blurry, or blank spots in your central vision.

Your ophthalmologist may also perform a fluorescein angiography, which involves injecting a yellow dye into a vein. The dye travels through the blood vessels in the retina, allowing them to be photographed with a special camera. This shows if there is growth of abnormal blood vessels under the retina that might affect the macula.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) are additional diagnostic tests. OCT uses light waves to take cross-section images of the retina, revealing its layers and measuring its thickness. OCTA is a noninvasive imaging technique that can capture blood flow in the vessels of the retina without the need for injecting dye.

Treatment Options For Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Treatment for AMD depends on which type of AMD you have, either dry AMD or wet AMD. Below, we’ve gone into detail about the treatment options for each:

Dry AMD Treatment

While no curative treatments for dry AMD exist, your ophthalmologist may recommend certain vitamin and mineral supplements to slow its progress. Additionally, a nutrient-rich diet that includes dark leafy greens and yellow fruits and vegetables has also proven beneficial for those with dry AMD.

Wet AMD Treatment

Wet AMD can be treated with intraocular injections of medications called anti-VEGF drugs that slow the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the macula, stopping their leaking and bleeding. An older and less effective option for treating wet AMD is laser treatment, in which laser light is used to seal leaky blood vessels. Your ophthalmologist will discuss with you which treatment options are appropriate for your case.

Contact Dean McGee Eye Institute For AMD Treatment

The Dean McGee Eye Institute is the only nationally-ranked eye institute in the state and a leading provider of treatment for age-related macular degeneration. We have the skill, expert knowledge, and advanced technology to provide you with superior care. New treatments for AMD are being developed through our clinical trials department. If you or a loved one suffer from AMD, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with one of our retina and vitreous specialists.

This photograph shows a prominent hemorrhage in the central macula as seen in the “wet” type of age-related macular degeneration.