What Can I Do About AMD? Treatment Options Amsler Grid Testing
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a progressive eye condition affecting millions of people and a leading cause of vision loss of older adults. In 2019, nearly 20 million Americans aged 40 and older were living with some form of AMD, and that number is expected to rise significantly as the population continues to age. The disease attacks the macula of the eye, where our sharpest central vision occurs, affecting reading, driving, identifying faces, watching television, safely navigating stairs and performing other daily tasks. Although it rarely results in complete blindness, it robs the individual of all but the outermost, peripheral vision, leaving only dim images or black holes at the center of vision.
Source: National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health
In this simulation you can experience the deterioration of vision of a person with AMD.
As the disease progresses the area of color and central vision deteriorates and the gradual destruction of light sensitive cells continues until large areas are totally gone. Peripheral vision remains, but the ability to clearly see straight ahead and to see color is lost.
For many people, the first sign of macular degeneration is something they notice themselves. Straight lines like doorways or telephone wires may appear wavy or disconnected. When you look at a person, her face may be blurred while the rest of her is in focus. Lines of print may be blurred in the center or the lines may be crooked. For some people, there is a sudden blurring or loss of sight in the center of vision. For any sudden change, you should contact your ophthalmologist immediately.
Key Statistics on AMD in the U.S.:
- There are two types of AMD – “wet” or neovascular and “dry” or atrophic.
- Prevalence: An estimated 19.8 million Americans—about 12.6% of adults aged 40 and older—had AMD in 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Vision Loss: Roughly 1.49 million people are living with late-stage AMD that threatens central vision.
- Age-Related Risk: AMD affects about 2% of adults ages 40–44, but prevalence rises sharply with age, impacting nearly 47% of those age 85 and older.
- As the “baby boomers” advance into their 60’s and 70’s, it will reach epidemic proportions.
- Future Impact: The number of Americans with AMD is projected to exceed 5.4 million by 2050, reflecting the rapid growth of the aging population.