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Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a retinal disease that causes vision loss in patients over 65 years of age. The main cause is a damage to a spot in the retina called macula. This spot is important for visual acuity because it has plenty of visual receptors.
Thus, AMD features progressive loss of sight in the central area of the eye field, and may advance to irreversible vision loss and blindness
The main cause of AMD is degeneration of the retinal arteries. They become harder and reduce the proportion of nutrients and oxygen delivered to the retinal cells, which ultimately become weak and die.
Risk factors for Age-Related Macular Degeneration include:
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There are two types of AMD:
1). Dry AMD
2). Wet or neovascular AMD
The former is more common, and the latter causes more severe visual impairments.
Dry AMD develops in an earlier stage of the disease. It features thinning of the macula and pigment changes on eye examination due to the accumulation of waste material. It is associated with mild or moderate visual impairment, but may ultimately lead to atrophy of the tissue, which features severe vision loss.
Dry AMD progresses into wet AMD in 10% of patients. In this phase of the disease, new blood vessels are formed under the macula tissue. Fluid and blood starts leaking to the tissue, causing irreversible damage to the retina and loss of central vision.
Early in the initial phase of the disease, AMD may not cause marked visual changes. But as the disease progresses, we can start experiencing the following signs and symptoms:
There is no available cure for an end-stage AMD, and there’s no way to reverse the effects of the disease. Treatment widely depends on the stage of the disease, and it is usually available in cases of dry AMD. However, moderate forms of wet AMD can also be treated.
High doses of antioxidants have promising results in clinical trials to prevent the progression of dry AMS. Other nutrients may also play a role, especially zinc but also lutein, copper, vitamin E, vitamin C, and zeaxanthin.
In wet AMD, treatments should be directed at preventing further growth of the blood vessels. This is done using drugs such as Eyelea, Avastin, Lucentis, or Visudyne. Photodynamic Therapy can also be used in some cases.
Our knowledgeable staff is here to answer all your questions about which procedure is best for you, and ensure you have the most comfortable experience possible. Make an appointment today!
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At Texas Eye and Cataract, we know how important it is to see life with clear vision. We understand that being your best means seeing your best.
At Texas Eye and Cataract, we know how important it is to see life with clear vision. We understand that being your best means seeing your best.
