Macular Degeneration What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration? Macular degeneration is the leading cause of severe vision loss in people over age 60. It occurs when the small central portion of the retina, known as the macula, deteriorates. The retina is the light-sensing nerve tissue at the back of the eye. Because the disease develops as a person ages, it is often referred to as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Although macular degeneration is almost never a totally blinding condition, it can be a source of significant visual disability. There are two main types of agerelated macular degeneration: Dry Form The dry form of macular degeneration is characterized by the presence of yellow deposits, called drusen, in the macula. A few small drusen may not cause changes in vision; however, as they grow in size and increase in number, they may lead to a dimming or distortion of vision that people find most noticeable when they read. In more advanced stages of dry macular degeneration, there is also a thinning of the light-sensitive layer of cells in the macula leading to atrophy, or tissue death. In the atrophic form of dry macular degeneration, patients may have blind spots in the center of their vision. In the advanced stages, patients
lose central vision. Wet Form The wet form of macular degeneration is characterized by the growth of abnormal blood vessels from the choroid underneath the macula. This is called choroidal neovascularization. These blood vessels leak blood and fluid into the retina, causing distortion of vision that makes straight lines look wavy, as well as blind spots and loss of central vision. These abnormal blood vessels eventually scar, leading to permanent loss of central vision.
Most patients with macular degeneration have the dry form of the disease and will not lose central vision. However, the dry form of macular degeneration can lead to the wet form. Although only about 10% of people with macular degeneration develop the wet form, they make up the majority of those who experience serious vision loss from the disease. It is very important for people with macular degeneration to monitor their eyesight carefully and see their eye doctor on a regular basis.
Are You at Risk for Macular Degeneration? Factors that may increase your risk of macular degeneration include: Age Your risk of macular degeneration increases as you age, it is most common in people over age 60. Family history Your odds of developing macular degeneration are higher if you have a family history of the disease. Race Macular degeneration is more common in whites than it is in other races, especially after age 75. Gender Women are more likely than are men to develop macular degeneration. Smoking Smoking cigarettes increases your risk of macular degeneration. Diet A diet that includes few fruits and vegetables may increase the risk of macular degeneration. High blood pressure Diseases that affect the circulatory system, such as high blood pressure, may increase the risk of macular degeneration. High cholesterol An elevated cholesterol level in your blood is associated with an increased risk of macular degeneration What are the Symptoms of Macular Degeneration? There are signs that the disease is present in the eye. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms you should see an ophthalmologist immediately: Straight lines appear wavy The center of vision appears distorted but the other areas of vision remain clear The center of vision appears dark, white or blurry The ability to perceive colors changes or diminishes
A qualified ophthalmologist can detect signs of macular degeneration during a routine eye examination. Declining vision or a change in the eye s blood vessels are often indications that macular degeneration is occurring. How is Macular Degeneration Diagnosed? A qualified ophthalmologist can detect signs of macular degeneration during a routine eye examination. Declining vision or a change in the eye s blood vessels are often indications that macular degeneration is occurring. Some of the tests done to detect macular degeneration may include: Dilated Eye Exam and Visual Acuity Test Amsler Grid OCT Eye Angiogram How is Macular Degeneration Treated? There are no cures for dry macular degeneration. There are a few options for treating wet degeneration: Outpatient laser surgery an option for people with the more severe wet macular degeneration. The laser beam is used to destroy the abnormal blood vessels and slow down the speed of vision loss. Early diagnosis is very important, because if the abnormal blood vessels have already grown under the macula, the laser might cause as much damage as the presence of abnormal blood vessels. Lucentis Approved by the FDA in June 2006 for treating the more advanced or wet form of macular degeneration, Lucentis (ranibizumab) is a form of the colorectal cancer treatment drug, Avastin. It works by inhibiting proteins called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which stimulate the growth of new blood vessels in the body. VEGF is thought to contribute to development of macular degeneration by promoting the
growth of abnormal blood vessels in the retina. Eylea Eylea is designed to inhibit the action of VEGF in wet (neovascular) AMD. It gained FDA approval for this purpose in November 2011.