Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition that results in the decrease or loss of central vision. It occurs in two forms, dry and wet. Ninety percent of people who have AMD have the dry form of AMD. Dry AMD takes many years to develop, and vision may be lost gradually. Currently there is no treatment for this form of AMD. However, it is thought that very specific vitamin supplements may slow down this process.
Some of the risk factors of macular degeneration include: family history, smoking, high blood pressure and poor nutrition.
The wet form of AMD occurs much less frequently but is more serious. Wet AMD occurs when new, abnormal blood vessels grow behind the retina. These blood vessels cause scarring and distorted vision by leaking fluid and blood. Treatments to exist for wet AMD, and may include laser treatments and/or certain medications.
Symptoms of AMD may include: fuzziness of central vision, the need for increased lighting to read, distortion of objects, or the development of a central vision blind spot. The best way to detect AMD is by comprehensive eye examinations which may include advanced testing such as optical coherence tomography.