amd

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

June 5, 2015 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

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:

A dark or empty area appears in the center of vision.
Gradual loss of ability to see objects clearly
Objects appear distorted in shape. Straight lines look wavy or crooked.
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)

August 13, 2013 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

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).

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:

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.
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:

Dim, blurry spot in the middle of your vision
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:

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.
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.
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)

June 13, 2013 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

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.”

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.”

For starters, if you smoke, stop it. Smokers have two to three times the risk of developing AMD than nonsmokers.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
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”

February 15, 2013 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

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.

Wet AMD: With wet AMD, a growth of abnormal blood vessels underneath the macula leak into the retina.
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:

Exercise may protect Eyesight WebMD
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.”

Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Symptoms and Treatment

December 22, 2011 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) 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.

AMD is an eye disease that affects the part of the retina (the macula) responsible for sharp, central vision. As a result, AMD can make it difficult to perform every day tasks, such as reading and driving.

Symptoms of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

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

If you feel you may be experiencing any of the above symptoms, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor as soon as possible. Any sudden change in your vision is a serious medical condition that requires prompt medical attention from your optometrist or ophthalmologist.

AMD can advance so slowly that individuals initially notice little change in their vision. Other times, AMD progresses more rapidly and may even lead to vision loss in both eyes. This is why regular eye exams are so important. They can help detect the eye disease before it causes significant vision loss.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treatment

There are two types of AMD, “dry” macular degeneration and the less common “wet” macular degeneration.

Dry AMD: With this form of AMD, the tissue of the macula gradually becomes thinner and stops functioning properly. There is currently no cure for dry AMD and any vision loss associated with the disease cannot be restored, even with treatment.
Wet AMD: This form of AMD is caused by fluid that leak from newly formed blood vessels under the macula, resulting in blurred central vision. With wet AMD, vision loss can be rapid and severe, but if detected early, this form of AMD can be treated with photocoagulation (laser treatment).
Other potential treatment options include:
Anti-angiogenesis drugs: These medications block the development of new blood vessels and leakage from the abnormal vessels within the eye that cause wet macular degeneration.
Vitamins: A recent study found that vitamins C, E, beta carotene, zinc and copper can decrease the risk of vision loss in patients with intermediate to advanced dry macular degeneration.

Photodynamic laser therapy: A two-step treatment in which a light sensitive drug is used to damage the abnormal blood vessels. A 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.

While AMD treatment cannot restore your vision, it can help to slow further vision loss.

If you have any questions about what you have just read or if you would like to learn more about cataracts, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Samuel Boles and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com today!
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.

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, Twitterand YouTube as well!

Sources:
Macular Degeneration MedlinePlus
Age-Related Macular Degeneration American Optometric Association