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FAQs about Eye Diseases: What is Macular Degeneration?

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When it comes to eye diseases, most people are familiar with glaucoma and cataracts, but few know about Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

What is Macular Degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that directly affects the macula, the small area of the retina that is responsible for central vision. AMD occurs in two forms:

  • Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (common): Tiny yellow deposits, called drusen, develop beneath the macula, signaling degeneration and thinning of nerve tissue.
  • Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration (less common): Abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the macula, leaking blood and fluid onto and underneath the retina. This kills retinal cells, causing blurring, distortion, and blank spots in your field of vision.

Interesting Macular Degenerations Facts & Statistics

  • More than 13 million Americans are affected by AMD.
  • Nearly 90% of all diagnosed AMD is the dry form.
  • About 10% of cases of dry macular degeneration develop into the wet, or neovascular, form of AMD.
  • Globally, AMD is the leading cause of vision loss and is responsible for some 50% of visual impairment.
  • AMD is uncommon in people younger than 55.
  • Women are slightly more likely than men to develop AMD.
  • Studies show that obesity, smoking, and exposure to UV rays may also be risk factors for developing AMD.

Signs and Symptoms of Macular Degeneration

In its early stages, AMD may not present any signs or symptoms. As the eye disease progresses, however, signs and symptoms become much more prevalent and include:

  • The distortion or blurring of central vision
  • Difficulty performing everyday tasks like driving or reading
  • Inability to see small details or fine print
  • Difficulty recognizing faces
  • Need for more light while reading or working
  • Dark or blurry areas in the center of vision (blind spots)
  • Changed color perception
  • Inability to focus properly on a single point within a grid

If you experience any of these signs or symptoms, contact your eye doctor – optometrist or ophthalmologist – at your earliest convenience. The early detection of macular degeneration is critical to the long-term treatment of the eye disease.

Recent innovations in AMD treatment can slow or even halt the progression of retinal changes.

“There are good modern treatments available for patients who lose vision due to AMD,” said board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Cuong Vu of Retina Associates. “[But] early detection and prevention are the keys to success.”

To learn more about Macular Degeneration, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010.

Located in Annapolis, Maryland, the Anne Arundel Eye Center offers comprehensive specialized ophthalmic exams as well as diagnostic pre and post-surgical eye care. Specializing in glaucoma and cataracts, Dr. Boles has helped restore and preserve thousands of patients’ vision. Vision problems may be a natural part of aging. Losing your vision doesn’t have to be.

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

Sources:

Macular Degeneration Health Center

Can Cataract Surgery Help Those With Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?

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What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

The macula is a small part of the retina that is responsible for sharp, central vision.

“It’s like a ballpark,” said board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles. “If you think about a ballpark, the pitcher’s mound would be the Macula. It is still part of the entire ballpark; it is just the most central portion of the ballpark. And like the pitcher’s mound, the Macula is an area where a lot of action happens.”

The rest of the retina – the peripheral retina – is responsible for (you guessed it!) side or peripheral vision.

Cataract Surgery Age-Re;ated Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in Americans 60 years of age or older.

When deposits called drusen and sometimes abnormal blood vessels form under the retina, we call this Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). This happens in older people as part of the body’s natural aging process and can cause a number of symptoms, including:

  1. A dark or empty area appears in the center of vision.
  2. Gradual loss of ability to see objects clearly
  3. Objects appear distorted in shape. Straight lines look wavy or crooked.
  4. Loss of clear color vision

As a result, AMD can make it difficult to perform everyday tasks, such as reading and driving.

There are two types of age-related macular degeneration: “dry” macular degeneration and the less common “wet” macular degeneration. With Dry AMD, the tissue of the macula gradually becomes thinner and stops functioning properly. With Wet AMD, fluid leaks from newly formed blood vessels under the macula, resulting in blurred central vision.

Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in Americans 60 years of age or older. Currently, about 1.75 million U.S. residents have advanced AMD with associated vision loss. That number expected to grow to almost 3 million by 2020.

Can Cataract Surgery Help Those With Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

According to a study published in the journal Ophthalmology, cataract surgery may be a viable treatment option for patients with varying degrees of AMD. The study evaluated the post-cataract visual acuity of 793 participants (1,232 eyes) and found a statistically significant gain in visual acuity after cataract surgery.

  • Participants with mild age-related macular degeneration gained an average of 11.2 letters on a standard eye chart.
  • Participants with moderate AMD gained an average of 11.1 letters.
  • Participants with severe AMD gained an average of 8.7 letters.
  • Participants with advanced AMD gained an average of 6.8 letters.

“If you are diagnosed with early AMD, you can decrease the chances of losing vision,” explained David M. Kleinman, MD, MBA, associate professor of ophthalmology at the Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, in Rochester, New York.

Cataract Surgery and Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treatment in Annapolis

The Anne Arundel Eye Center (AAEC) is a regional leader in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration. Dr. Boles and his staff have helped preserve thousands of patients’ vision. They can help you too.

If you have any questions about Cataract Surgery or Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treatment or wish to schedule an appointment with Anne Arundel Eye Center (AAEC), please contact Board Certified Ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, Dr. Kathryn Gurganus Turner, and the eye care specialists here at AAEC by calling 410-224-2010 or Click Here to fill out our contact form.

You can also follow AAEC on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

Spotting Vision Problems: Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

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Spotting vision problems early is the best way to prevent substantial vision loss. This is why it is so important to have your eyes examined annually by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. Certain vision problems, like Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), may present little or no symptoms early, making it almost impossible to diagnose without the help of a professional eye doctor. Other eye diseases, like glaucoma, present no symptoms until you begin to lose vision. And any vision loss that occurs as a result of glaucoma cannot be reversed. So you can clearly see the importance of regular, comprehensive eye exams.

It also doesn’t hurt to be well-educated about common vision problems. This is why we have decided to start a new mini-series of blogs titled, “Spotting Vision Problems.” Our first topic will be Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

 

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

 

The leading cause of irreversible blindness in people over the age of 60, AMD is a progressive eye disease that causes damage to the Macula, which is the most concentrated central portion of the retina. There are two types of AMD:

  1. Dry AMD: The dry form of AMD, the more common of the two forms,  is characterized by the presence of yellow deposits, called drusen, in the macula. As these drusen grow in size, they may distort your vision.
  2. Wet AMD: The wet form of AMD is characterized by the growth of abnormal blood vessels, which leak blood and fluid into the retina, distorting vision.

Signs and Symptoms of AMD

Unfortunately, AMD presents no symptoms early. However, as the eye disease progresses, you may begin to notice the following:

  1. Dim, blurry spot in the middle of your vision
  2. Diminished or changed color perception

If you experience either of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor- ophthalmologist or optometrist – as soon as possible. Any change in your vision is a serious medical condition that requires prompt medical attention.

AMD Treatment

There is currently no cure for AMD, but the eye disease can be treated, slowing or haulting vision loss. Treatment options include:

  1. Anti-angiogenesis drugs can be used to treat wet AMD, blocking the development of new blood vessels and leakage from the abnormal vessels within the eye.
  2. The Age-Related Eye Disease Study conducted by the National Institutes of Health showed the benefit of vitamins C, E, beta-carotene, zinc and copper for certain individuals with AMD.
  3. Another possible option is laser therapy. High-energy lasers can be used to destroy actively growing abnormal blood vessels that occur in macular degeneration. Then there is photodynamic laser therapy, in which a light-sensitive drug (Visudyne) is used to damage the abnormal blood vessels then a cold laser is used to activate the drug and damage the abnormal blood vessels.

If you have any questions about Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) or wish to schedule an appointment with the Anne Arundel Eye Center, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, consultative optometrists Dr. Nathan Frank and Dr. Corinne Casey, and the eye care specialists here at AAEC by calling 410-224-2010 or visiting AnneArundelEyeCenter.com today. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

Source:

See what Eye See: Spotting Vision Problems WebMD

 

Coping with Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

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The leading cause of irreversible blindness in people over the age of 65, Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), is a progressive eye disease that causes damage to the Macula, which is the most concentrated central portion of the retina.

“It’s like a ballpark,” said board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles. “If you think about a ballpark, the pitcher’s mound would be the Macula. It is still part of the entire ballpark, it is just the most central portion of the ballpark. And like the pitcher’s mound, the Macula is an area where a lot of action happens.”

Agre Related Macular Degeneration

AMD causes the light-sensitive cells in the Macula to break down and die, affecting central vision, causing blind or blurry spots that grow as AMD progresses. This can begin to make simple, everyday tasks – like reading and driving – difficult or even impossible.

Fortunately, the eye disease “doesn’t come on all of a sudden,” explained David M. Kleinman, MD, MBA, associate professor of ophthalmology at the Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, in Rochester, New York. AMD comes on gradually, with age.

Coping with Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

According to Kleinman, in order to cope with AMD, “you have to change your lifestyle.”

  1. For starters, if you smoke, stop it. Smokers have two to three times the risk of developing AMD than nonsmokers.
  2. Eat your fruits and vegetables. According to a study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology, women who eat large amounts of vegetables – like broccoli, squash, corn, and peas – better Maintain Healthy Vision as they age.
  3. Antioxidants and zinc can help lower the risk of vision loss by as much as 25%, according to a 10-year clinical trial by the NEI.
  4. According to a 2006 study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, regular exercise (three or more times a week) can reduce a person’s risk of Age Related Macular Degeneration by as much as 70%.
  5. Research suggests that protecting your eyes from the sun could be beneficial. “I recommend wearing a hat and sunglasses when outside on sunny days,” said Kleinman.
  6. Schedule regular appointments with your eye doctor – optometrist or ophthalmologist.

“If you are diagnosed with early AMD, you can decrease the chances of losing vision,” added Kleinman.

If you have any questions about our blog, “Coping with Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD),” or if you would like to know more about Age-Related Macular Degeneration, please contact Dr. Boles, consultative optometrists Dr. Nathan Frank and Dr. Corinne Casey, and the eye care specialists at the Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or visiting AnneArundelEyeCenter.com today. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

Source:

Living Well With Age-Related Macular Degeneration WebMD

Is there a correlation between Exercise & Eyesight? A 2006 Study says “Yes”

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According to a 2006 study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, exercise may not only help you improve your physical fitness, but it could also save your eyesight. In fact, this study suggests that regular exercise (three or more times a week) can reduce a person’s risk of Age Related Macular Degeneration by as much as 70%.

Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative eye disease that damages the central part of the retina, known as the macula, and may eventually permanently distort a person’s central vision. AMD, which is divided into two categories: wet AMD and dry AMD, is the leading cause of severe vision loss in individuals over the age of 60.

  1. Wet AMD: With wet AMD, a growth of abnormal blood vessels underneath the macula leak into the retina.
  2. Dry AMD: With dry AMD, which is the more common of the two forms of AMD, individuals experience deposits called drusen in the macula.

Researchers from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health followed close to 4,000 men and women between the ages of 43 and 85 for 15 years, detailing both their exercise habits and lifestyle. Then, researchers administered comprehensive eye exams every five years to track eye health.

Research Findings: Regular exercise can reduce a person’s risk of Age Related Macular Degeneration by as much as 70%. Researcher M.D. Knudston also suggests other factors, especially diet, could also affect the risk of AMD.

Comprehensive Eye Exams in Annapolis, Maryland

Led by board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Sam Boles, Anne Arundel Eye Center (AAEC) is a regional leader in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma, cataracts and other eye diseases, like Age Related Macular Degeneration. AAEC offers comprehensive ophthalmic exams as well as diagnostic pre and post-surgical eye care.

To learn more about Age Related Macular Degeneration, please contact Dr. Boles, consultative optometrists Dr. Nathan Frank and Dr. Corinne Casey, and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com. Staffed by caring and knowledgeable professionals, our state-of-the-art treatment center is dedicated to making the best eye care accessible to everyone.

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

You can also follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!

Source:

  1. Exercise may protect Eyesight WebMD
  2. Knudtson, M. British Journal of Ophthalmology, Oct. 31, 2006, online first edition. News release, BMJ Specialist Journals. WebMD Medical Reference in collaboration with The Cleveland Clinic: “Eye Health: Macular Degeneration.”
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