What Can I Do About AMD? Treatment Options Amsler Grid Testing
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a progressive eye disease and one of the leading causes of vision loss in older adults. Nearly 20 million Americans are living with some form of AMD, and approximately 1.5 million Americans have late-stage, vision threatening AMD. By 2050 21 million Americans could be living with AMD.
AMD affects the macula, the central portion of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision. As the disease progresses, it can make everyday activities such as reading, driving, recognizing faces, watching television, using digital devices, and safely navigating stairs increasingly difficult.
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. While there is no currently no cure for AMD, significant advances in research have led to effective treatments that can slow disease progression, preserve vision, and offer new hope to people living with AMD.
In this simulation you can experience the deterioration of vision of a person with AMD.
Types of AMD
Dry AMD
Dry AMD is the most common form, accounting for approximately 85–90% of cases. It occurs when light-sensitive cells in the macula gradually deteriorate. Tiny yellow deposits called drusen often develop beneath the retina and may increase in size and number over time.
Wet AMD
Wet AMD is less common but more severe. It develops when abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the retina and leak fluid or blood, causing rapid damage to central vision.
Symptoms
Symptoms of AMD may include:
- Blurred or distorted central vision
- Difficulty reading or seeing fine details
- Straight lines appearing wavy
- Dark or empty spots in central vision
- Difficulty recognizing faces
- Reduced ability to see in low light
Early AMD may not cause noticeable symptoms, making regular eye examinations especially important.
Risk Factors
Factors that may increase the risk of AMD include:
- Age over 60
- Family history of AMD
- Smoking
- High blood pressure and cardiovascular disease
- Obesity and physical inactivity
- Excessive exposure to ultraviolet light
- Diet low in leafy green vegetables and antioxidants
Diagnosis
AMD is diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination that may include:
- Dilated retinal examination
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT)
- Retinal imaging
- Fluorescein angiography in certain cases
- Amsler grid testing to detect distortion in central vision