Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration or age related macular degeneration (ARMD/AMD) is a common cause of central vision loss in people over the age of 55. It is a progressive breakdown of the macula, the central portion of the light sensitive membrane at the back of the eye that can lead to loss of ability to read, drive or even recognize faces. 

AMD should be suspected in people over 55 years of age if they experience any of the following:

• distortion: straight lines appear wavy or bent
• difficulty reading, driving, recognizing faces or any tasks that require fine vision
• dark patches or "blind spots" in your central field of vision

The most important step in treating AMD is early recognition. If the disease is diagnosed early, a variety of treatment options is available to you. Regular annual eye examination with your ophthalmologist may reveal early lesions that would otherwise be asymptomatic. Should your ophthalmologist suspect AMD, ancillary procedures like fluorescein angiography (FA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) may be requested to determine the extent of the lesion. 

For "Dry" AMD, studies have shown that supplementation with pre-specified dose of vitamins A,C,E, Selenium and Zinc can help retard the progression in certain cases. Cessation and control of other risk factors are highly recommended. 

For "Wet" AMD, a variety of treatment options are now available depending on the type and stage of the lesion, its size, location and accompanying findings. Laser photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy and intraocular injections of a variety of medicines can help retard or even reverse the process to a certain extent. 

When seen at the correct time, laser treatment can be applied to seal the retina break/hole/tear and help prevent a retinal detachment. When detachment occurs, a procedure called vitrectomy may be performed to repair it. Because of this, it is highly recommended that retinal screening be done at regular intervals: 3, 6 or 12 months depending on the findings seen during screening. Findings may be acceptable now but can change in time. 

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