What You Should Know about Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of visual loss worldwide, and typically affects individuals 55 years of age or older. The disease affects the central part of the retina, called the macula. The macula is responsible for central vision, which enables reading, driving, sewing, and other tasks that require detailed vision.

Vision loss typically occurs gradually and can affect both eyes at different rates. Even though macular degeneration can cause visual impairment, the disease usually does not cause peripheral (side) vision loss or lead to total blindness.

Macular degeneration appears to be hereditary, but not in all cases. In the early stages, no signs of vision disturbances usually occur. If caught early, macular degeneration can sometimes be treated, and this may delay or reduce the severity of the disease.

Following are possible signs of macular degeneration. If you notice any of the following visual disturbances, please see your eye doctor:

Straight lines that appear distorted, and in some cases, the center of vision appears more distorted than the rest of the scene.

A blurry, dark area or a white-out appears in the center of vision.
Color perception fades or changes.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is one of the most promising new treatments for the wet type of macular degeneration. It involves the injection of a recently approved drug, called Visudyne, into the bloodstream, followed by a brief laser treatment. The laser activates the drug, which helps destroy abnormal blood vessels in the eye that damage the macula. The procedure may be done in an ophthalmologist’s office, and several treatments may be necessary for it to be effective.

At this time there is no treatment for the most common, or dry form of AMD, but research continues to be conducted. The course of the disease varies, and once active, it may slow down considerably, or even stop progressing for many years. Some evidence suggests that certain vitamin supplements can help prevent or slow the disease, as can using appropriate sunglasses to protect your eyes from ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Even though there is no cure for macular degeneration, certain factors other than hereditary seem to play a role in the development of the disease, including:

Smoking, including second-hand smoke
Over-exposure to UV rays
Uncontrolled high blood pressure
Poor diet

Judith Lee