Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a chronic eye disease associated with degenerative changes specifically in an area of the retina called macula.  Macula is responsible for our central vision that catches the fine details of an image.

Dry AMD

Wet AMD

AMD is the leading cause of legal blindness in people aged 60 and older.  The disease can either be non-exudative (the so-called “dry” type) or exudative (the “wet” type).  About 90% of all the AMD belongs to the “dry” type, whereas 10% the “wet” type.

Generally speaking, dry AMD is a less aggressive disease that if it progresses, it does so slowly.  On the other hand, wet AMD is a much more aggressive disease characterized by abnormal growth of blood vessels underlying the macula.  These vessels tend to be fragile and leak blood and fluids, which subsequently damage the macula, impairing our central vision.

Although dry AMD remains relatively a stable disease, it could often advance and lead to devastating visual loss as dry AMD.  It could also progress by turning into wet AMD.  Unfortunately there is currently no effective treatment for dry AMD.  However, results from large, controlled, randomized, prospective clinical trials (AREDS) have shown that taking a combination of certain vitamins and minerals helps reduce the risk of progression by up to 25%.

AMD Vision

Amsler Grid

If the AMD has transformed into the wet type, one could lose the vision quickly if left untreated.  Although wet AMD is an aggressive disease, fortunately, there is now a relatively effective treatment available that involves injecting special medication into the eye that stops the growth of new vessels.  About 9 out 10 patients with wet AMD respond positively to the treatment with improvement or stabilization of their vision.

AMD (both dry and wet) often goes unnoticed.  When it does become symptomatic, symptoms include blurring central vision, colors appearing dull, lines looking wavy, doorways appearing crooked, or central blind spot.  AMD can occur in one eye, or both. 

If you are 60 years old or older, or are a Caucasian, or are a smoker, or have a history of cardiovascular diseases (hypertension, heart disease, stroke, etc.), or have family history of AMD, you maybe at risk of developing AMD.  Because symptoms can be subtle and goes unnoticed, it is important to have your eyes examined regularly.