Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition that causes central vision loss in individuals over the age of 50 years.  It is one of the top 3 causes of blindness around the world. By 2020, it is estimated that there will be about 196 million individuals with age-related macular degeneration!

AMD affects the central fixation point of the eye (macula) and loss of central vision can be severe and permanent. This condition also has a tendency to affect both eyes. However, peripheral vision is usually unaffected.

Symptoms of AMD (Age-Related Macular Degeneration)

Many people with age-related macular degeneration don’t have symptoms until the disease progresses. You may experience:

  • Blurring of central vision
  • Distorted vision, where straight lines appear wavy or bent
  • Difficulties seeing when moving from light to dark settings
  • Dark patches in the centre of your vision
  • Decreased intensity or brightness of colours
  • Reduced vision when looking straight ahead, including problems with reading or recognising faces

Risk Factors of Age-related Macular Degeneration

Your risk factors increase with:

  • Age
  • Gender (Female)
  • Family history
  • Smoking
  • Obesity
  • Cardiovascular diseases
  • Low dietary intake of certain nutrients

Having severe AMD in one eye puts you at higher risk of developing AMD in your other eye.

There are two forms of AMD: Dry and Wet

In dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration, yellow spots and patches deposit at the macula

Abnormal yellow deposits at the macula in dry AMD.

In Dry AMD, yellow spots and patches of discolouration appear at the macula. It is common in people 50 years and older but fortunately, symptoms are usually mild.

In wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration, blood vessels grow and bleeding at the macula

Extensive bleeding at the macula in wet AMD.

In Wet AMD, abnormal blood vessels grow at the macula and lead to bleeding and leakage of fluid. Symptoms are usually severe and may worsen quickly without treatment. If treatment is not done on time, irreversible scarring occurs and central vision is lost permanently.

Treatment for Age-related Macular Degeneration

Dry AMD

Dry AMD is treated with lifestyle changes and monitoring. Smokers should stop smoking and those with high BMI should reduce weight. Increasing antioxidant intake may be helpful. Some individuals with dry AMD may be advised to take specially formulated vitamin preparations that have been proven to slow down the disease or prevent the formation of wet AMD.

It is also possible that protection of the eye from long-term overexposure to UV radiation (e.g. in sunlight) may also help.

Wet AMD

Intravitreal injection therapy uses a tiny needle to inject medication directly into the eyeThe gold standard treatment for wet AMD is intravitreal injection therapy. This involves the injection of medication (anti-VEGF drugs) into the eye using a very tiny needle and has been shown in clinical studies to deliver good vision results. The injection is done as an outpatient procedure and multiple injections may be necessary. Depending on the drug used, eye injections are often necessary at 4-8 weekly intervals during the active phase of the disease.

In some individuals, cold laser or hot laser may need to be added to complement intravitreal injection therapy.

FAQ: Age-Related Macular Degeneration

I have been given an “Amsler chart” to monitor my eyes so I can seek treatment early if my condition worsens. How do I use it?

I heard that vitamin supplements are useful for some people with AMD. How do I know if I should be taking vitamin supplements?

Is there any cure for wet AMD?

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