Age-Related Macular Degeneration, aka AMD, is a Serious Eye Disease That Can Lead to Vision Loss
An estimated 2.5 million Americans live with some form of AMD, with that number expected to reach nearly 3.5 million by 2030. These figures are skewed toward senior citizens, with the majority of AMD patients being seniors aged 60 and older. Regular eye exams are the best way to detect and manage AMD.
Unfortunately, AMD cannot be cured. Though there are promising treatments in development, there are currently no FDA-approved treatments that cure AMD. However, major clinical studies have shown that AMD may be influenced by diet and lifestyle factors.
The best way to detect and manage AMD is with routine eye examinations, which allows our doctors to detect early progressive changes. The earlier treatable AMD changes are detected, the better their prognosis.
The eyes are delicate organs, and vision lost to eye diseases (such as AMD or glaucoma) generally cannot be restored. For this reason, our focus is always on the protection and preservation of visual acuity.
Age-related macular degeneration can take a significant toll on your central vision, where drusen (waste products) form and are deposited. However, AMD rarely causes total blindness on its own. Despite this, the loss of central vision can have a major impact on your quality of life.
More Information About AMD
The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends annual or bi-annual eye exams for healthy children and adults, or annual eye exams for seniors. In addition to comprehensive eye exams, Dittman Eyecare offers Macula Risk® PGx Genetic Testing, which assists in determining a patient’s risk of developing AMD, and supports the accuracy of appropriate treatment options based on the patient’s genetic profile. Schedule your eye exam today.
AMD is the slow degradation of the light cells in your eye. It occurs on the macula, which is the part of the eye primarily responsible for central vision.
It erodes your central vision, creating blind spots and areas where vision is blurry or hazy.
There is no known exact cause of AMD other than that it develops over time with age.
There are two types of AMD: atrophic AMD, and exudative AMD.
Dry AMD accounts for the majority of AMD cases. This version of AMD is when deposits of drusen – a dull, yellowish deposit – appear on the macula. Over time, and especially without management, dry AMD will eat away at your central vision.
Wet AMD is the more severe (and rare) form of AMD. Weak and damaged blood vessels form beneath the retina and macula, leaking blood (and other fluids) into the eye. This results in damaged vision, including blind spots.
Learn more about AMD.
There is no cure for macular degeneration at this time. The best way to manage AMD is to reduce your risk factors through lifestyle choices.