Age related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (often abbreviated as AMD or ARMD) is a medical condition which usually affects older adults and results in a loss of vision in the center of the visual field (the macula) because of damage to the retina. It is a major cause of blindness and visual impairment in older adults (>50 years). Macular degeneration can make it difficult or impossible to read or recognize faces, although enough peripheral vision remains to allow other activities of daily life.

Types of Age-related macular degeneration

There are two types of AMD: Dry macular degeneration and Wet macular degeneration. Dry AMD is the most common type and it occurs when the light-sensitive cells in the macula slowly break down. Wet AMD is less common but more serious, and it occurs when abnormal blood vessels behind the retina start to grow under the macula.

Symptoms

The most common symptom of macular degeneration is blurred vision. Other symptoms may include distortion of straight lines and dark, blurry areas or white out in the center of vision. If any of these symptoms are noticed, it is recommended to see an ophthalmologist immediately.

Causes

While the specific causes of age-related macular degeneration are not conclusively known, the condition is believed to be related to a combination of hereditary and environmental factors. Risk factors include age, smoking, and family history of the disease.

Treatment

There is no cure for macular degeneration, but some treatments can delay its progression or even improve vision. Treatments for macular degeneration depend on whether the disease is in its early-stage, dry form or in the more advanced, wet form that can lead to serious vision loss.

Prevention

While there is no surefire way to prevent macular degeneration, some measures may reduce the risk or slow the progression of the disease. These include regular exercise, a healthy diet rich in green, leafy vegetables and fish, and avoiding smoking.

See also

• Retina
• Blindness
• Ophthalmology