AMD is a disorder of the small central portion of your retina or “macular” resulting in loss of vision at the center. Mostly found in age more than 65. AMD is an incurable condition and decreases ability to see until the patient is completely blinded within 2 years if left untreated. If the condition is found in one eye, the other eye has 40% chance of having AMD within 5 years.

Risk Factors

1.Age in more than 50 years old

2.Family history – recommended to have eye checkup annually

3.Race and gender – found mostly in European and American and in woman more than 60 years old

4.Smoking increase risk by 4 times

5.High blood pressure – patient who needed to take blood pressure and lipid lowering drugs with low serum carotenoid level is at high risk for Wet AMD

6.Menopause – woman entering menopause and did not take hormone replacement (estrogen) is at risk

Symptoms

AMD is classified into two groups: Dry AMD and Wet AMD

Dry AMD

• Most prevalent type of AMD from degeneration and thinning of macular

• Initial symptom includes blurry vision and needing more lights for each activity. Some patient may start with little blurry vision and deteriorates gradually over time.

Wet AMD

• Accounts for 10-15% of AMD

• Fast progression to lose sight and leading cause of blindness from blood vessel growth under the retina

• Blood and fluid leakage under retina results in edema of central macular and patients will start seeing distorted sight at the center, discoloration, and may see black spot

• The optic nervous cell eventually dies, and blindness will be permanent

Treatment

Dry AMD

As of today, there is no cure for Dry AMD, only to delay progression of the disease by controlling the risk factors and follow up with your ophthalmologist for regular eye checkup. 

Wet AMD

Several treatment options are available for Wet AMD

1. Laser Photocoagulation

To inhibit or delay disorder in blood vessel causing leakage under the retina. The area of retina in contact with laser treatment will be destroyed with heat causing permanent dark spot immediately after treatment. This treatment option would be recommended for the disorder occurred far from the macular.    

2. Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)

Medication will be administered through vein into circulation system and binds to the abnormal cell which multiplies at the blood vessel wall under the retina. Then the patients will receive phototherapy to catalyze medication in destroying abnormal blood vessel which does not affect the retina. Patients can still see like before receiving treatment and in some mild cases can have visions restored back to near normal state.

3. Intravitreal injection of Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (Anti-VEGF)

    Eye injection with Anti-VEGF to inhibit growth of blood vessel for disease control. Initially the drug has to be administered at least 3 times per month and every 2-3 months in later stages.

1. Surgery

Surgery is done in case bleeding occurs under the macular by administering medication to help loosen blood clot and injecting gas to push blood out of the macular.

When to see a doctor?

If you notice changes to your central vision and changes to the way you see colors and fine details, make an appointment to see an Ophthalmologist as soon as possible.