Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic, painless disease which affects the macula region of the eye. AMD is a leading cause of vision loss among Australians, particularly those over the age of 50, and is responsible for half of all blindness and severe vision loss. It is estimated that approximately one in seven Australians over the age of 50 will be affected by the disease to some degree, with the prevalence increasing with age.
Macular degeneration can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks such as reading and driving. In this blog post, we will explore the impact of macular degeneration in Australia, the effect of COVID-19 restrictions on testing and treatment, and what can be done to better treat and avoid the disease.
What is AMD?
You may have heard of AMD previously being divided into two categories; wet AMD or dry AMD. In the newest classification system for the disease, there are three stages; early, intermediate and late. Late AMD is then further divided into wet or dry.
AMD is a chronic condition, which affects a layer of cells in the retina called the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). This layer of cells acts as a barrier between the choroid and retina and facilitates the movement of essential nutrients (oxygen, sugar etc.) as well as waste products to and from the choroidal blood vessels.
In the early and intermediate stages of the disease, waste products begin to build up, forming yellow spots called drusen. These drusen can be seen during an eye exam. Although they may not cause changes to your vision, presence of these drusen can increase the likelihood of vision changes later in life. Fortunately, at this stage of the disease, there is evidence to suggest modifying lifestyle (i.e. increased exercise, altered diet, supplements and stopping smoking) can help to reduce progression.
In late stage wet-AMD, new blood vessels can grow into the retina (neovascularization) and leak fluid. Changes in vision normally occur more quickly with this type of AMD. Dry-AMD is often much slower, and occurs from RPE cells dying. If these cells are not there, the retina above no longer receives vital nutrients and may also die, resulting in patches missing in your vision.
The impact of macular degeneration on quality of life
Macular degeneration can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. Changes in the macula region of the eye can result in distorted or missing central vision, whilst leaving your side vision intact. These changes in central vision can make it difficult to perform everyday tasks such as reading, driving, and recognising faces. This can lead to social isolation and depression, which can further exacerbate the impact of the disease on a person’s life.
What can be done to better treat and avoid macular degeneration?
While there is currently no cure for macular degeneration, regular eye exams are a must for early detection.
Early detection is key to preventing vision loss from macular degeneration. It is recommended that Australians over the age of 50 have an eye exam every two years. Once you reach the age of 65, a comprehensive eye exam is recommended yearly. More frequent examinations maybe needed depending on your personal circumstances. Any sudden change in vision requires prompt assessment.
There are treatments available that can help to slow the progression of the disease and prevent vision loss. These include injections of drugs that can help to shrink abnormal blood vessels.
Healthy lifestyle choices
Large scale studies have suggested that lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and smoking can all have an impact on the development and progression of macular degeneration. A healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, regular exercise, and avoiding smoking can all help to reduce the risk of developing the disease. At certain stages in the disease, research has shown that some supplements may also be helpful.
If you are at all worried or have any concerns about your vision give us call today to book an appointment on 07 55380144. Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm