AMD

Age-related macular degeneration

What is AMD?

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a chronic disease that causes a loss of central vision. Affecting more than 10 million people in the United States, AMD can dramatically impair "straight-ahead" sight, which is critical to daily activities such as reading or driving.

AMD occurs in the macula, the part of the eye that allows you to see color and fine detail. While most AMD cases progress slowly and painlessly over time, for some people it can rapidly lead to loss of vision. In fact, AMD is a leading cause of vision loss in Americans over the age of 60.

Are there different kinds of AMD?

AMD occurs in two different forms:

Dry AMD. The more common dry AMD occurs when light-sensitive cells in the macula slowly break down, leading to a gradual blurring of central vision. Because it progresses so slowly, dry AMD can often go unnoticed until it reaches an advanced stage.

• The latter stages of dry AMD can cause symptoms such as:
• More light is needed when looking at objects up close
• Print begins to appear more blurry
• Colors seem less bright
• Your vision is hazy
• You have a blurry or blind spot in the center of your vision

Wet AMD. While occuring in only 10% of people with AMD, wet AMD is a far more serious condition. It occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow under the macula, often leaking blood and fluid. This can severely damage the macula, leading to a rapid loss of central vision.

• Wet AMD symptoms can include:
• Straight lines appear wavy or faces appear distorted
• Doorways seem crooked
• Objects look smaller or far away
• A blurry or blind spot in the center of your vision

Am I at risk for AMD?

While the exact cause of AMD is not known, a number of factors can increase your risk of developing it. These include:

• Age. AMD most often occurs during middle age or later.
• Family history. If you are related to someone with AMD, there's a greater risk you will have it too.
• Gender. Women are more likely to get AMD.
• Obesity. Being overweight increases your risk that earlier stages of AMD will progress to the more severe wet AMD.
• Smoking. Cigarette smoke significantly increases the risk of macular degeneration.
• Diet. Not eating enough fruits and vegetables can starve your eyes of the vital nutrients they need to keep them healthy.
• Cardiovascular disease. Conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke or heart attacks can increase your risk.
• Race. People with lighter complexions have a higher

How do I know if I have AMD?

As with any condition that affects the health of your eyes, you should talk to an expert about AMD -- your eye doctor. Because early detection can give you the best chance to treat AMD, it is the most important thing you can do. Your eye doctor can perform several tests during a comprehensive eye exam that can detect AMD, including:

• Visual acuity test. Using an eye chart, your doctor can measure how well you see at various distances.
• Dilated eye exam. Drops are used to dilate (widen) your pupils. Using a special magnifying lens, your eye care professional can closely examine the back of your eye for damage.
• Amsler grid. You may be asked to stare at this checkerboard grid with each eye. If the lines appear to be wavy or blurry, this may be a sign of AMD.

If your eye doctor suspects you might have AMD, he or she may use other, more specialized equipment designed to see the back of your eye in greater detail.