Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is considered to be the most common cause of incurable blindness in people over 50 years of age.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is considered to be the most common cause of incurable blindness in people over 50 years of age.
It is frequently seen in developed countries and third-world countries alike. AMD destroys a person’s central vision – the part we routinely use for reading, appreciating colour and identifying objects and faces.
There are two main types: Dry AMD (Non-Exudative/ Atrophic) and Wet AMD (Exudative/ Neovascular). Wet AMD is considered potentially much more destructive. In Dry AMD abnormal deposits build up between layers of the retina. In wet AMD, abnormal blood vessels start to grow between retinal layers and may start to leak into these spaces.
Both types can cause complications including partial detachments of the various layers of the retina, swelling and even small bleeds. The main risk factor for AMD is ageing. Your chances for developing AMD after 50 can increase to almost 30% by the time you're 75.
Race also plays an important role, because AMD rarely affects dark-skinned people. Other important risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and a positive history of AMD in your family. It is believed that previous cataract surgery may also improve chances for later development of AMD.
So what are the other symptoms? Dry AMD is usually associated with a slow, progressive loss of vision over a number of years. Wet AMD usually has a far more destructive, sudden decrease in vision. Both can cause visual distortion, blind spots/ blurring of central vision or colour changes in the later stages.
If you have developed AMD in one eye it increases the risk for developing it in the other eye considerably. It is thus very important to see your optometrist or ophthalmologist regularly (usually every six month, or annually) once you’ve been diagnosed with the condition.
While there is presently no definitive cure, there is now considerable evidence that regular high doses of certain multivitamins and antioxidants can decrease the risk of progression in certain cases. This is especially true in cases where one eye already has AMD.
A diet rich in green, leafy vegetables and fish oils with omega-3 fatty acids is believed to be the best prevention. If you have noticed that faces or images are becoming blurred or blocked out by dark spots please come in for a free colour photograph of your retina between 25 and 28 September. Call us at 046 622 6205.
By Jan-Louis Fourie, Dr Davies Optometrists.
