AMD

Age-related macular degeneration or AMD is the most common cause of irreversible vision loss for people over the age of 60. It is estimated that 2.5 million people in developed countries will suffer visual loss from this disorder and that there are approximately 200,000 new cases diagnosed every year.

Macular degeneration is most common in people over the age of 65 but there have been some cases affecting people as young as their 40s and 50s. Symptoms include blurry or fuzzy vision, straight lines like telephone poles and sides of buildings appear wavy and a dark or empty area may appear in the center of vision.

What is Macula? The macula is the small portion of the retina located at the center of this light-sensitive lining at the back of the eye. Light rays from objects that we are looking at come to a focus on the retina and are converted into electrical impulses that are then sent to the brain. The macula is responsible for sharp straight-ahead vision necessary for functions such as reading, driving a car and recognizing faces.

The effect of this disease can range from mild vision loss to central blindness. That is, blindness “straight ahead” but with a normal peripheral vision from the non-macular part of the retina which is undamaged by the disease.

Two types of Macular DegenerationNinety percent of AMD is of the “atrophic” or “dry” variety. It is characterized by a thinning of the macular tissue and the development of small deposits on the retina called drusen. Dry ARMD develops slowly and usually causes mild visual loss. The main symptom is often a dimming of vision when reading.

The second form of AMD is called “exudative” or “wet” because of the abnormal growth of new blood vessels under the macula where they leak and eventually create a large blind spot in the central vision. This form of the disease is of much greater threat to vision than the more common dry type.

What are the causes of AMD? Unfortunately, the cause of this eye condition is not fully understood but it is associated with the aging process. As we age, we become more susceptible to numerous degenerative processes like arthritis, heart conditions, cancer, cataracts, and macular degeneration. These conditions may be caused by the body’s overproduction of free radicals.

During the metabolic process, oxygen atoms with an extra electron are released. These extra electrons are quite destructive and cause cellular damage, alter DNA, and are thought to be at least partially responsible for many of the degenerative diseases mentioned above. The production of these free radicals is normal during metabolism but the body produces its own “anti-oxidants” to neutralize them.

Some of the vitamins in the food we eat also have anti-oxidant properties. These are vitamins A, C, E, and beta-carotene. Unfortunately, smoking, poor nutrition, and other lifestyle factors result in the body producing too many free radicals. For this reason, lifestyle factors may contribute to the risk of AMD.

There is some evidence to suggest that AMD has a genetic basis, as the condition tends to run in families. The exact nature of this familial tendency, however, has not been clarified. It has been suggested from twin studies that there is a defect in the genes responsible for the integrity and health of the retina.

Exposure to certain types of light may also play a role. Studies performed on fishermen in the Chesapeake Bay suggest that long-term exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun may increase the risk of AMD and other eye conditions such as the development of cataracts

It has also been hypothesized that hyperopia or farsightedness may also play a role in the development of the disease. It is thought that the shortening of the eye in hyperopia may cause changes in the membrane below the macula and in its blood vessels.

In the dry form of the disease, some form of inflammation may also be a factor although what causes the inflammation is not known.

How is it treated? Although researchers are spending a great deal of time investigating the cause and treatment of AMD, there is no real cure available. The goal of current treatment efforts is to attempt to stabilize the condition.

For the more severe wet form of the disease, doctors use anti-VEGF therapy. An ocular injection of an anti-VEGF drug is given to stop the growth of new blood vessels. Several treatments are usually needed to improve or stabilize the bleeding.

 

Are Vitamins and Nutrition Useful? No treatment exists for the dry form but many doctors are convinced that a combination of specific vitamins and minerals helps slow the progression of the disease. Antioxidant vitamins may help to neutralize the free radicals that are associated with this degenerative process. Although not for everyone, some patients may benefit from supplements containing vitamins C and E, zinc, copper, lutein, and zeaxanthin. A healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables (especially dark green, leafy vegetables) has been shown to decrease the chances of developing AMD.