Age-related macular degeneration is the most common cause of loss of fine vision in one or both eyes in people over age 50 in the United States. It only effects your straight ahead, or central vision, and does not affect the side, or peripheral vision. For this reason age-related macular degeneration does not lead to total blindness. The macular degeneration affects a small pencil eraser sized area at the central part of the retina. The retina is like the film in the camera which receives light and transmits the information through the optic nerve to the brain. The macula is that part of the retina that allows one to see objects in fine detail and to read small print. When the macula undergoes degeneration then these activities are reduced.

There are two main types of age-related macular degeneration called the wet and dry type. Most cases are a result of the dry type which tends to develop gradually as the tissues underneath the macula gradually degenerate. The wet type occurs when the degenerative process is associated with the formation of abnormal blood vessels that may leak either blood or fluid. There are also aging deposits known as drusen that sometimes can accumulate underneath the macula. These may be harmless signs of the aging process but occasionally they can be forerunners of a more serious problem.

Causes of Macular Degeneration

It is still a mystery why the macular degeneration occurs. It is possible that the normal aging process causes some disruption in the macula’s ability to receive oxygen and nourishment. It appears to be hereditary factor and so family members of those with age-related macular degeneration should be checked and take extra precautions. Other risk factors for developing age-related macular degeneration are a high fat diet, smoking and excessive exposure to ultra violet light.

Symptoms

The most common symptom in age-related macular degeneration is blurring of vision in one or either eye. The blurring is gradual and unfortunately a change in the glasses often times will not improve vision. As the age-related macular degeneration progresses there may be a dark or hazy area in the center vision with a disruption in the perception of colors. With either type, particularly the wet type, there may be distortion in the way straight lines appear. Straight lines such as lines down the middle of a street may appear crooked. The wet type is associated with more rapid onset of symptoms.

Age-related macular degeneration is usually slowly progressive in nature. Both eyes are usually effected but one eye may be more effected than the other. Even in advanced cases of age-related macular degeneration the side vision is essentially normal. Even though you may become legally blind with vision no better than 20/200 you still will have enough vision to generally walk around comfortably and take care of yourself.

Treatment

Unfortunately there are no specific medications that are used to treat age-related macular degeneration. However, an ocular examination will determine the need for additional studies such as fluorescein angiography. In that test dye is injected into veins and pictures are taken of the back of the eye. In some patients with the wet type of age-related macular degeneration laser treatment is used to seal off leaky blood vessels. In spite of no proven treatment available certain things are recommended. One, Amsler grid testing should be performed one or two times a week to detect distortion of the macula which could sometimes helpful with laser treatment. Maintaining a low fat diet, avoiding smoking and eating a lot of green, leafy vegetables will provide all the nutrients you need. Although not scientifically proven the use of oral zinc preparations with anti-oxcidant vitamins such as Vitamin C and E may be beneficial.

Patients who have low vision can be helped with special low vision aids for distance such as telescopes and near such as hand held magnifiers. A low vision specialist can help you with these problems.