subject: Age-related Macular Degeneration (amd) [print this page] Macular degeneration is mostly occurred in the elderly around 50 years old. So when macular degeneration is metioned it is generally refers to age-related macular degeneration (AMD or ARMD).
Macular degeneration is a medical condition of vision loss in the center of the visual field because of damage to the retina, while the peripheral vision remains. So macular degeneration can make the patient difficult to read time, but be able to recognize the contour of a watch.
Macular degeneration has two types, the dry form and the wet form. The dry form also called noexudative form , in which drusen accumulate between the retina and the choroid, and the retina becomes detached. The wet form is referred to as exudative form, in which blood vessels grow up from the choroid behind the retina, and the retina can also become detached. The later one is more severe, and about 10% of macular degeneration is of this type.
Symptoms of macular degeneration including drusen, blurred vision, distorted vision, troble in discerning colors, exudative changes or visual acuity drastically decreasing.
The Amsler Grid Test is one of the simplest and most effective methods that ophthalmolosists use for patients to monitor the health of the macula. Fluorescein angiography (FA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) may also be used for the identification and localization of abnormal vascular processes.
Until recently, there are no effective treatments for macular degeneration. However, some new drugs, such as anti-angiogenics or anti-VEGF agents, can cause regression of the abnormal blood vessels and improve vision when injected directly into the vitreous humor of the eye. However, the injections can be painful and need repeated monthly.
