Macular degeneration, also known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is a progressive eye condition that blurs the center of your vision. This happens when the macula, part of the retina at the back of the eye, gets damaged. The macula is crucial for seeing what’s directly in front of you.
As people get older, their chances of developing macular degeneration increase. Other risk factors include having a family history of the condition and smoking. It is the leading cause of vision loss in individuals over 65, affecting nearly 3 million Americans every year.
Macular degeneration generally progresses slowly, leading to symptoms like blurry vision and a loss of detail in what you see. It doesn’t affect peripheral vision, which means you can still see things to the side. Although there’s no cure, treatments can improve symptoms and slow the disease’s progression.
There are two types of macular degeneration: dry and wet. Dry macular degeneration involves gradual thinning and damage to the macula and affects 70% to 90% of those with the condition. It progresses more slowly than the wet type and can impact one or both eyes. If one eye is affected, the other is at a higher risk.
Wet macular degeneration advances more rapidly and is a rarer, more severe version caused by abnormal blood vessels growing in the retina. These vessels can leak and cause scarring, damaging the macula. Dry macular degeneration can evolve into wet when the condition advances quickly.
If you have macular degeneration, your central vision changes—what you see directly in front of you becomes less sharp and clear. Peripheral vision and night vision remain unaffected. While this condition rarely causes complete blindness, it can lead to legal blindness, where vision is 20/200 or worse.
The damage to the macula causes vision loss. Dry macular degeneration might occur due to small deposits in the macula called drusen, whereas wet macular degeneration results from scarring and blood leakage from irregular vessel growth. Though these theories are widely accepted, researchers continue to study the genetic and environmental factors that may contribute to the condition.
Risk factors for macular degeneration include age, family history, and smoking. Eye doctors will evaluate your overall health, medical history, and potential conditions contributing to your symptoms to diagnose it. They may conduct several tests to examine your vision more closely.
Dry macular degeneration occurs in three stages, with each stage potentially worsening vision problems over time. Unfortunately, the vision loss from macular degeneration is permanent, and while there isn’t a cure, certain treatments and lifestyle changes can help slow progression and protect remaining vision.
Doctors might recommend AREDS-2 supplements, a mix of vitamins and minerals, to help with dry macular degeneration. Consult your eye care provider before taking these supplements, available in most pharmacies. While medications don’t help with dry macular degeneration, they can alleviate symptoms of the wet type. Anti-VEGF medications, delivered via injection, slow the progression of wet macular degeneration. Photodynamic therapy, often paired with anti-VEGF injections, is a laser approach that helps manage the condition.
Recently, the FDA approved Syfovre (pefcetacoplan) for advanced macular degeneration. Administered via injection every 25 to 60 days, it aims to slow vision loss progression in the macula.
To prevent symptoms, eye care providers might suggest lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, following a treatment plan, and protecting your eyes by wearing UV-protective sunglasses.
Those with macular degeneration might face a higher risk of other health issues. Studies show that individuals with either type of macular degeneration can still adopt preventive measures and treatments to decelerate disease progression. These steps can improve their quality of life while living with the condition.
Macular degeneration is a long-term condition that worsens over time, with dry macular degeneration taking up to 10 years to cause legal blindness. In contrast, the wet type is more severe and advances quickly if untreated. While sunglasses can’t restore vision loss from macular degeneration, they can help slow disease progression by protecting eyes from UV rays. Look for shades labeled UV 400 for optimal protection.
