Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Ageing brings its own set of challenges. Sometimes, your eyes may experience more degeneration than others, a condition known as Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

What is AMD?

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness among people aged 65 and above. As this age group grows, vision loss from AMD is becoming a significant issue. AMD affects the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision needed for activities like reading and driving. Central vision loss can occur as the macula degenerates.

Types of AMD

Wet AMD (Neovascular Type): Leads to serious vision loss and often occurs in those with dry AMD. It involves abnormal blood vessels growing under the retina, leaking blood and fluid, which can damage light-sensitive retinal cells and create blind spots.
Dry AMD (Non-Neovascular Type): The more common (85–90% of cases) and less severe form. It is characterized by yellowish spots called drusen accumulating around the macula. High-dose eye vitamins may reduce the risk of progression by 25%.

Do I Have AMD? (Signs and Symptoms)

Slow, painless loss of central vision
Increasing haziness of printed words or overall vision
Visual distortions (e.g., straight lines appearing wavy)
Well-defined shadowy areas or blind spots in vision

What Causes AMD?

While AMD is associated with ageing, genetics also play a role. The exact cause of dry AMD is not well understood, but it involves the gradual breakdown of macula cells and thinning of macular tissues.

Risk Factors

Family History of macular degeneration
Smoking
Obesity
Female Gender
High Cholesterol
High Blood Pressure

How is AMD Diagnosed?

Your ophthalmologist may use tests like:

Amsler Grid: Detects vision changes.
Slit Lamp Examination
Fluorescein Angiography: Creates images of eye blood vessels.
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): Provides 3D retina images.

Treatment for AMD

Currently, there is no cure for AMD, but treatments can delay progression or improve vision:

For Dry AMD: No FDA-approved treatments yet, but nutritional supplements may help prevent progression.
For Wet AMD: FDA-approved drugs like Lucentis, Macugen, and Visudyne, often used with Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), can halt abnormal blood vessel growth.
Low Vision Devices: Help manage daily tasks like reading and computer use.

Prevention Tips for AMD

Regular eye exams
Control other diseases, like high blood pressure
Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, and nuts
Maintain a healthy weight
Quit smoking

How to Use the Amsler Grid

Wear reading glasses if needed.
Hold the grid at normal reading distance.
Focus on the dot in the center.
Check for wavy, blurred, or distorted lines.
Test both eyes separately.

Important: Report any irregularities to your eye doctor immediately.

Why Choose Aggarwal Eye Hospital for AMD Care?

At Aggarwal Eye Hospital, we provide comprehensive eye care services, including advanced testing and treatment options for AMD. Our expert ophthalmologists in Vile Parle and Andheri ensure personalized care and the latest medical interventions to preserve your vision.

📅 Book an Appointment Today to learn more about your eye health and take proactive steps against AMD!

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) | Aggarwal Eye Hospital, Vile Parle & Andheri

Ageing brings its own set of troubles. Sometimes your eyes undergo more degeneration than other old people. This is called Age Related Macular Degeneration.

What is AMD? Age-related macular degeneration (AMD or ARMD) is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness among people aged 65 and above. As this age group grows, so does the prevalence of vision loss from AMD. AMD affects the macula (the central part of the retina), which is responsible for the sharp, central vision needed to read or drive. When the macula is damaged, it can result in central vision loss.

It is of two types: 1. Wet: Also called neovascular type, leads to more serious vision loss. However, it has been found to occur almost always in people who have dry ARMD. Neovascular refers to growth of abnormal blood vessels underneath the retina, where they are not supposed to be. These unhealthy blood vessels grow leak blood and fluid, which can prevent the retina from working properly. This leakage causes permanent damage to light-sensitive retinal cells, which die off and create blind spots in central vision. 2. Dry: This is more common (About 85 – 90 % of all ARMD) (and thankfully) less severe. It is also called the non-neovascular type. It is an early stage of the disease and is diagnosed when yellowish spots known as drusen begin to accumulate in and around the macula. Studies show that taking high dose formulas of certain nutritional supplements found in eye vitamins may reduce risk of early stage AMD progression by 25 percent.

Do I have AMD? (Signs and Symptoms) There is slow painless loss of central vision. In rare cases, the loss of vision can be sudden.

You may notice the following changes:

• Increasing haziness of printed words or overall vision

• Visual distortions like straight lines appearing wavy

• Well defined shadowy area or blind spot in your field of vision

What are the causes of ARMD? Though macular degeneration is associated with ageing, research suggests there also is a genetic component to the disease. The exact cause of dry macular degeneration is not known; the cells that make up your macula breakdown over a period of time as you age. There is thinning of the tissues of your macula with age.

Risk factors

The following factors may put you at a higher risk for developing Macular Degeneration:

• Family History of macular degeneration

• Smoking

• Obesity

• Female gender

• High cholesterol

• High blood pressure

What are the tests for ARMD? Your Ophthalmologist may ask you to look at a special piece of paper with vertical and horizontal lines called the Amsler grid.

The following tests or examinations may be done:

• Slit Lamp Examination

• Fluorescein Angiography to create images of the blood vessels in your eye

• Optical Coherence Tomography to obtain 3D information about your retina

How is ARMD treated? There is as yet no outright cure for age-related macular degeneration, but some treatments may delay its progression or even improve vision.

Treatments for macular degeneration depend on whether the disease is in its early-stage, dry form or in the more advanced, wet form that can lead to serious vision loss. No FDA-approved treatments exist yet for dry macular degeneration, although nutritional intervention may help prevent its progression to the wet form. For wet AMD, treatments aimed at stopping abnormal blood vessel growth include FDA-approved drugs called Lucentis, Macugen and Visudyne used with Photodynamic Therapy or PDT. Lucentis has been shown to improve vision in a significant number of people with macular degeneration. Some doctors also recommend antioxidant and zinc supplementation, which a recent study found to reduce patients’ risk of developing advanced AMD by 28 percent. Patients with vision problems caused by macular degeneration often can benefit from low vision devices to help them read, use a computer and more.

How can I prevent ARMD?

• Undergo routine eye exams

• Control other diseases like high blood pressure

• Choose a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables. Include fish and nuts.

• Maintain a healthy weight

• Quit Smoking

Amsler Grid: Test for Macular Degeneration or Other Vision Problems

The Amsler grid is a tool that eye doctors use to detect vision problems resulting from damage to the macula (the central part of the retina) or the optic nerve. The damage may be caused by macular degeneration or other eye diseases, so the Amsler grid is useful in detecting these problems. An early diagnosis means early treatment, so it may help to limit or at least slow the vision loss you experience. If you are at risk for macular degeneration or other eye diseases, you can use this chart at home to monitor your vision. But using the chart doesn’t mean you should skip regular visits to your eye doctor, because you can easily miss signs that only a trained eye care practitioner will find. The chart below is an approximation of the printed chart used by eye doctors. For more accurate detection of macular damage, you will need a complete eye exam.

How To Test Yourself with the Amsler Grid If you need reading glasses, please wear them while you use the Amsler grid. The grid should be at about the same distance from your eyes that any other reading material would be. Cover one eye, then focus on the dot in the center.

• Do any of the lines look wavy, blurred or distorted? (All lines should be straight, all intersections should form right angles and all the squares should be the same size.)

• Are there any missing areas or dark areas in the grid?

• Can you see all corners and sides of the grid?

• Don’t forget to test both eyes.

VERY IMPORTANT: Report any irregularity to your eye doctor immediately. You can mark areas of the chart that you’re not seeing properly and bring it with you to your eye exam.

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