Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in the industrialized world.  In the United States age related macular degeneration occurs in approximately 10% of the population between 65-74 and 25% of the population older than 74 years.  The current incidence is 1.75 million affected individuals. However with the aging of the population this is expected to increase to 2.95 million individuals by 2020.

What is age-related macular degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration is a degenerative disease of the retina.  The retina is in simple terms the back of the eye, which is responsible for translating images into the neural impulses received by the brain.  There are two types of macular degeneration, dry and wet. Here is the difference between the two:

Dry: the more common and less severe version. It occurs due to accumulation of cellular debris between the layers of the eyes

Wet: blood vessels extend over the back of the eye. These new vessels are fragile and leak fluid and blood that damage the center portion of the retina.

In both cases, the disease targets the macula, or the center portion of the eye responsible for focused vision.  You need the macula for activities such as reading, driving and facial recognition. Most cases of wet macular degeneration are actually caused by the progression of dry macular degeneration. 

What are the risk factors for age-related macular degeneration?

Risk factors for this disease include:

·         increasing age

·         a family history of macular degeneration

·         being white

·         being female

·         cigarette smoking

·         being obese

·         poor diet low in fruits and vegetables

·         high blood pressure

·         high cholesterol

Symptoms of the disease are marked by a painless progressive blurring of their central vision.  Another key initial symptom, is when parallel straight lines appear wavy, for example when looking at window blinds.

How is age-related macular degeneration treated?

Classically, thermal laser photocoagulation has be the primary treatment for wet age related macular degeneration.  Ophthalmologists use the laser to destroy the growing vessels. Unfortunately only 25% of patients with wet age related macular degeneration are considered to be eligible for this treatment and of those treated over 50% have persistent or recurrent vessel growth within two years.

 If you notice changes in your vision please see an eye doctor.  Problems with worsening central vision could be related to macular degeneration.  Rapidly changing vision could also be a sign of diabetes, so checking screened for diabetes if vision worsens can be helpful in diagnosing the condition.