Eye Care

Age-related macular degeneration is a retinal disease that onsets after age 60 and progressively destroys the macula, the central portion of the retina, impairing central vision. It rarely causes blindness as only the center of vision is affected.

Retina is the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye that provides clear, sharp images. These light-sensitive cells connected with nerve fibres convert the light entering the eyes to nerve impulses which are transmitted to brain and processed to images. A person with normal eyes but a retinal disease will suffer from poor vision.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF MACULAR DEGENERATION

Wet AMD

It happens when abnormal blood vessels grow under the macula (Macula is the center of the retina at the back of the eye). These new blood vessels often leak blood and fluid. Wet AMD damages the macula quickly. Blurred vision is a common early symptom.

Dry AMD

It happens when the light-sensitive cells in the macula slowly break down and the patient gradually loses the central vision. A common early symptom is that straight lines appear crooked.

TREATMENT FOR AMD

Anti-angiogenesis drugs

These medications block the development of new blood vessels and leakage from the abnormal vessels within the eye.

Laser therapy

High-energy laser light can sometimes be used to destroy actively growing abnormal blood vessels that occur in macular degeneration.

Photodynamic laser therapy

In this procedure the doctor injects the drug into the bloodstream to be absorbed by the abnormal blood vessels in the eye. The doctor then shines a cold laser into the eye to activate the drug, damaging the abnormal blood vessels.

AMD may be a difficult condition, but it is not as devastating as people fear when they are diagnosed and only rarely leads to complete blindness. It is important to learn about the disease and work with a retina specialist, who will put a treatment plan in place. These physicians have the ability, training, and experience to treat all medical and surgical aspects of AMD and other diseases of the retina. A retina specialist may also suggest access to rehabilitation options, including a variety of tools and resources that can make everyday living with AMD a bit easier.