If you’ve been diagnosed with Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), you’re not alone. It is estimated that as many as 16 million people in the United States have AMD. In fact, it’s a leading cause of blindness in people age 60 and older.
AMD is a condition that affects the center of the retina, called the macula. The macula is the part of the eye responsible for our most acute vision, which we use when reading, driving, and performing other activities that require fine, sharp, or straight-ahead vision. Typically, changes in the macula from AMD are gradual, but in some cases, vision loss is faster and more noticeable.
There are two different types of AMD:
- Dry macular degeneration: THE MOST COMMON FORM, affects about 90% of people diagnosed with AMD have dry AMD. This condition occurs when the tissues of the macula begin to age and thin. Dry AMD is also associated with tiny yellow deposits called drusen that form beneath the retina. People with dry AMD typically experience a less severe degree of vision loss, and it develops slowly. Early AMD always starts out as dry, but in about 10% of cases it can develop into wet AMD. It is most commonly treated with nutritional supplements. (see graphic below)
- Wet macular degeneration: occurs when delicate, abnormal blood vessels form under the retina. These fragile vessels leak blood and fluid beneath the retina, causing it to distort or scar. This is the reason for loss of sharp vision in people with wet AMD. Wet AMD progresses far more rapidly than dry AMD, with more severe effects—potentially including complete central vision loss. Although this type of AMD affects only about 10% of people with the disease, it is responsible for 90% of severe vision loss associated with AMD. It is often treated with injections.
If you lives in The Villages, FL area, I am available for you or your loved ones at Clear View Optix.
