Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that may get worse over time. It’s the leading cause of serious, permanent vision loss in people over 50, with about 1 in 10 people in the U.S. affected by the condition.
It happens when the central portion of your retina, called the macula, wears down. The retina is the light-sensing nerve tissue at the back of your eye.
Because the disease happens as you get older, it’s often called age-related macular degeneration. It usually doesn’t cause blindness but might cause serious vision problems.
Another form of macular degeneration, called Stargardt disease or juvenile macular degeneration, affects children and young adults.
Symptoms of Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Early on, you might not have any noticeable signs of macular degeneration. It might not be diagnosed until it gets worse or affects both eyes.
Symptoms of macular degeneration may include:
Worse or less clear vision. Your vision might be blurry, and it may be hard to read fine print, drive, or recognize faces.
Dark, blurry areas in the center of your vision
Straight lines look wavy
Worse or different color perception
If you have any of these symptoms, see an eye doctor as soon as possible.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration Prevention
If you don’t have AMD, you can practice some healthy habits that may help you lower your chances of getting it:
If you smoke, consider quitting.
Take charge of any other health conditions you have, like high blood pressure.
Stay at a healthy weight and get regular exercise.
Eat a balanced diet full of fruit, vegetables, and foods with omega-3 fatty acids (which are in certain fish and nuts).
Conditions That Are Similar to Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Some other eye conditions have symptoms similar to those of AMD, including:
Macular hole. This is a small hole that forms in the macula, leading to distorted vision.
Myopic macular degeneration. This only affects people with serious myopia (nearsightedness).
Stargardt disease. This is also known as juvenile macular degeneration. It's a hereditary condition that affects young people.
Diabetic retinopathy. This is a complication of diabetes that causes damage to blood vessels in the retina.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration Diagnosis
Your doctor can check you for age-related macular degeneration when you see them for a routine eye exam and have your eyes dilated.
Tests for AMD
These tests can help your doctor diagnose the condition:
Retinal exam. During your eye exam, the doctor will examine your retina. They'll look for drusen under the retina.
Amsler grid. Your doctor may also ask you to look at an Amsler grid, a pattern of straight lines that's like a checkerboard. If some of the lines appear wavy or are missing, that could be a sign of macular degeneration.
Angiography. If your doctor finds AMD, you may have a procedure called angiography or one called optical coherence tomography (OCT). In angiography, your doctor injects dye into a vein in your arm. They take photographs as the dye flows through blood vessels in your retina. If there are new vessels, or if vessels are leaking fluid or blood in your macula, the photos will show their location and type. OCT is an imaging scan that can show fluid or blood underneath your retina without dye.
It’s important to see your eye doctor regularly to find signs of macular degeneration early. Treatment can slow the condition or make it less serious.
Procedures for AMD
Several options are available for AMD:
Laser therapy. High-energy laser light can destroy abnormal blood vessels growing in your eye.
Photodynamic laser therapy. Your doctor injects a light-sensitive drug – verteporfin (Visudyne) – into your bloodstream, and it’s absorbed by the abnormal blood vessels. Your doctor then shines a laser into your eye to trigger the medication to damage those blood vessels.
Researchers are also studying experimental treatments for age-related macular degeneration. They include:
Submacular surgery. This procedure removes abnormal blood vessels or blood.
Retinal translocation. This destroys abnormal blood vessels under the center of your macula, where your doctor can’t use a laser beam safely. In this procedure, your doctor moves the center of your macula away from the abnormal blood vessels to a healthy area of your retina. This keeps you from getting scar tissue and more damage to your retina. Then, your doctor uses a laser to treat the abnormal blood vessels.
Alternative options for AMD
There's no scientific proof that any type of alternative treatments work for AMD, and they can't replace medical treatments. But some people use supplements or alternative therapies along with standard treatments. Always ask your doctor before you try an alternative treatment, as some could interact with your medications or cause side effects.
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