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What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?  | ||||
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Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is the most common cause of vision loss in people over the age of 65. In its more advanced stages, AMD will cause patients to have a very noticeable decrease in their ability to see "sharply", or use focused vision, which is the type of vision required for reading or watching television. For about 90 out of every 100 patients with AMD, this loss of vision is a very gradual process. Patients who show this gradual vision decrease have what is often called the "dry" form of AMD. However, for the remaining 10% of patients who are diagnosed with the "wet" form of AMD, there can be a very rapid and dramatic loss of vision. | ||||
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More about Dry AMD | ||||
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A person with dry AMD may develop a gradual loss of detailed vision as light-sensitive cells in the retina slowly break down over time. AMD usually affects both eyes, but it can affect only one eye initially.
In dry AMD, changes called drusen develop in the pigment layer of the macula. At first the drusen are small and few in number, and vision is not affected. With time, more drusen, larger drusen, and other pigment changes may develop along with a decrease in central vision. Reading may become more difficult. At a later stage in some patients, parts of the pigment layer disappear entirely, and central vision is then lost, so that these patients can no longer read or drive. We know from scientific studies that people with certain types of drusen and other pigment changes are at a higher risk of having their dry AMD change to wet AMD with a rapid and severe loss of central vision. People who have these changes in one eye and wet AMD in the other are especially high risk. Signs and Symptoms of Dry AMD: | ||||
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More about Wet AMD | ||||
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The specific cause of wet AMD is the growth of new, abnormal blood vessels immediately under the retina, which is a lining in the back of the eye. This condition is known as choroidal neovascularization, or CNV. As these abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina, they leak and bleed (thus the name "wet" AMD). This causes damage to the macula, which is the portion of the retina that is responsible for sharp or focused vision.
Signs and Symptoms of Wet AMD: | ||||
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Who Is At Risk For AMD? | ||||
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AMD generally occurs in people who are 50 years or older, and the risk of developing AMD increases as a person gets older. In addition to age, other possible risk factors for AMD include the following:
Gender - Women may be at greater risk than men, according to some studies.Smoking - Smoking may increase the risk of getting AMD. Family History - People with a family history of AMD may be at higher risk of getting the disease. Cholesterol - People with elevated levels of blood cholesterol maybe at a higher risk for developing wet AMD. | ||||
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Can Dry AMD Become Wet AMD? | ||||
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Yes. Everyone who has wet AMD started out with dry AMD. | ||||
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How do I reduce my risk of developing AMD? | ||||
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Scientists are still researching the causes of AMD, but current recommendations include: | ||||
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Why should I take a dietary supplement? | ||||
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Anti-oxidant compounds such as vitamins C, E and A, and trace minerals such as selenium, zinc, manganese, and copper appear to help macular cells fight off free radical damages. As people age, their bodies lose these natural defence mechanisms. Many eye-care specialists are advising their patients to supplement their diets with anti-oxidant rich vitamins and minerals as a precaution.
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