Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a common eye condition that affects the central part of your vision. It is the leading cause of vision loss in people over the age of 50.
AMD affects the central part of the retina (the “macula” which is responsible for central detailed vision), making it difficult to read, see fine details or recognise faces.
Although AMD does not lead to total blindness, it can severely limit vision quality. If untreated, it tends to worsen over time and is considered as an age-related condition.
Early AMD does not cause any symptoms and some may still not experience any symptoms with intermediate AMD. Others may notice mild symptoms including slight blurriness in their central vision or trouble seeing in dimly lit areas.
Some symptoms you may experience in late AMD include:
There are two types of AMD, Dry AMD which is more common, and Wet AMD which is usually more severe:
The most common type, progresses slowly and causes gradual vision loss.
This is less common than the dry type, but more severe, and occurs due to the growth of abnormal blood vessels under the macula which can leak fluid or bleed into or under the macula (hence the term “wet” AMD), causing rapid vision loss and distortion of vision.
There are treatments available for wet AMD to prevent further vision loss.
The exact cause of AMD is unknown but the condition has been known to develop with age and may run in the family. Risk factors for AMD include:
You can lower your risk of developing AMD with the following tips:
Visual Acuity Test
An optometrist or ophthalmic technician will test your ability to read letters of various sizes on a chart.
Detailed Eye Examination
Your doctor dilates your pupils with eye drops so that they can examine your retina. The dilation drops will make your vision blurry for up to a few hours, so it is recommended that you do not drive to your appointment.
Amsler chart test
This is a test that can help you monitor your central vision for blind spots or distortion. It consists of a grid of horizontal and vertical lines with a dot in the centre. While staring at the dot, you should notice if any of the lines appear wavy, distorted, or blurry.
OCT Macular Scan
This is a quick and gentle optical scan that provides a 3-dimensional image of your macula, allowing your doctor to see if there is any abnormality in the internal anatomy of your macula.
Retinal Angiography
This test involves the injections of two dyes (fluorescein and indocyanine green) into a vein on the back of your hand followed by a series of photographs of your retinas over several minutes. Fluorescein Angiography shows any leakage from abnormal blood vessels in the macula which can help to diagnose wet AMD and also help your doctor decide on the best way to treat it. Indocyanine Green Angiography sometimes complements this test by showing any abnormalities in the deeper blood vessels under the retina, and can also help to guide treatment.
