Prevent Blindness, the nation’s leading volunteer eye health and safety organization, has declared February Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Awareness Month.

AMD is a leading cause of vision loss in people 50 years or older. Affecting the central vision, it leads to difficulty with every day tasks like driving or reading. Many people do not realize they have AMD until their vision is very blurry. Regular visits with your ophthalmologist can ensure they find early signs of AMD before any vision issues occur.

Two Types of Age Related Macular Degeneration

There are two types of AMD: dry and wet. Dry AMD is the more common form and occurs when parts of the macula, the part of your eye that processes your central vision, get thinner with age and grow small clumps of protein called drusen. Wet AMD is less common, but is more serious than dry AMD. Wet AMD is when new and abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina, leading to the possibility of blood or other fluids leaking that can cause scarring of the macula. Vision loss occurs more quickly with wet AMD than with dry AMD.

How is AMD treated?

Unfortunately, with dry AMD, there is no treatment. Those diagnosed with dry AMD may benefit from eating a healthy diet including dark leafy greens and taking vitamins like vitamin C or E, lutein, zinc, and more. Discuss with your ophthalmologist what options are best for you.

To assist in treating wet AMD, medications called anti-VEGF drugs can help reduce the number of abnormal blood vessels in your retina and slow leaking from the blood vessels. Laser surgery could also be used to treat some types of wet AMD. Again, discuss with your ophthalmologist the best plan of action.

Amsler Grid

You may not notice changes to your vision caused by AMD when they happen because it causes vision changes over time. To gauge your vision, you can use an Amsler grid every day to monitor any changes that may occur with your eyesight.

Click here to view an Amsler grid available for download. 

AMD is very common. If you suspect you are experiencing signs of AMD, call our office to request an appointment with one of our board-certified ophthalmologists.

Information from the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Prevent Blindness.