Age-related macular degeneration is the first cause of declining eyesight for people over 50 in industrialized countries and the third global cause of visual impairment.
Knowledge and treatment of AMD is evolving fast, thanks to recent improvements in genetics, therapy and diagnostic tests.
Research is booming and we can hope for early treatment solutions resulting in visual acuity improvement in a significant number of cases.
KNOWING AMD
Age-related macular degeneration or AMD is a premature and rapid aging of the macula, a part of the retina. In the macula, white deposits called drusens appear and cells (photoreceptors: cones and rods) disappear.
The macula is a very small zone of the retina but it plays a key role. It sends 90% of the processed visual information to the brain. It is located in the centre of the retina. It is on the macula that the object we look at is imprinted. Thanks to its cells, called cones, we are able to perceive details and colours.
When you suffer from AMD, you may feel the following symptoms:
-You may feel that you don’t have enough light to read or write. Images can seem dull or yellowed. You then suffer from what is called contrast sensitivity loss.
-You may also find it difficult to perceive details. This decrease in visual acuity can happen fast.
-You may have the impression that straight lines in a crossword or on floor tiling seem ondulated or deformed. This is called metamorphopsia.
-Lastly, a greyish-black spot called scotoma may appear in the center of your field of vision. It can be a nuisance when you try to distinguish some elements.
Does AMD make you blind?
-No, AMD does not usually make you totally blind. You can become visually impaired, but you won’t be in the dark.
-Only the centre of the retina is affected by AMD so only central vision is concerned: you will probably feel unease when reading, sewing or doing DIY, recognizing faces in the street, writing a cheque. But you will be able to move on your own, dress up or brush your hair. You will keep some autonomy.
-Finally, AMD does not prevent you from getting a good overall vision but you may have difficulties grasping the details.
Is there more than one form of AMD?
There are indeed more than one. There is “wet” AMD and “dry” AMD.
-Dry AMD, also known as atrophic AMD is the most frequent and less severe form. Symptoms are progressive loss of retina cells and macula thinning.
-Wet AMD, also known as neovascular AMD is less common. In this case, abnormal vessels or neovessels appear inside the retina.
TREATING AMD
AMD diagnosis
Only an ophtalmologist can diagnose AMD.
The first step consists in testing close and remote visual acuity. Then the ophthalmologist performs a fundoscopy. Depending on which type of AMD is diagnosed, further exams can be needed, such as OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography).
AMD care
Currently, there is no medicine that can cure AMD permanently but there are some solutions.
For wet AMD, effective medicine exists, which is prescribed and administered by Ophtalmology specialists. It is injected in the white of the eye. The procedure is an intravitreous injection.
For dry AMD, which develops slowly, no effective medicine has appeared yet.
You should consult your ophtalmologist as soon as possible in case of:
-rapid loss of visual acuity in one eye
-and/or sensation of seeing deformed or ondulated lines
-and/or apparition/aggravation of a central spot.
CONCLUSION
There is no curative treatment for AMD, so you need to be examined by your ophtalmologist on a regular basis. Each AMD being different, your practitioner will decide on the frequency of controls and treatment.