Issue 37.09
Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of central vision loss in people over the age of 50 in the United States. Many people both with and without macular degeneration do not really understand the disease. Although there is much about this disease that we do not know, we do have some understanding of its development and implications. Here I attempt to answer, ten frequently asked questions regarding age-related macular degeneration.
1. What is age-related macular degeneration?
The retina is much like the film in a camera. Light entering the eye strikes the retina (or film) and forms an image. The macula is the part of the retina responsible for your central vision and is used to see fine detail. Age-related macular degeneration is a disease associated with aging that causes the macula to deteriorate resulting in impaired central vision. This makes it difficult to see objects clearly and greatly impairs one’s ability to read, drive and perform other visual tasks.
2. What is DRY age-related macular degeneration?
More than 85% of patients with age-related macular degeneration have the dry type. This occurs when the light sensitive cells in the macula slowly break down. Drusen are the earliest sign of the dry type. They are yellow deposit found in the macula. Drusen do not usually cause vision loss but indicate that the disease process has started. Over time, the dry type results in gradual blurring of central vision. You may have difficulty recognizing faces or reading and performing other tasks. The vision loss in the dry type is usually less severe than the wet type.
3. What is WET age-related macular degeneration?
This occurs when new blood vessels began to grow beneath the macula. These blood vessels are very fragile and leak blood into the retina causing rapid and severe vision loss. This vision loss is generally considered permanent.
4. Can the DRY form turn into the WET form?
Yes, at any point the dry type can transform into the wet type. This is why it is extremely important for you to see your eye doctor should you notices any changes. These changes may be due to development of the wet form of macular degeneration. There is no way to tell if and when the dry type will turn into the wet type. However, there are certain findings on examination of the macula that may indicate you are at greater risk for this transformation occurring. Most people never develop the wet form of macular degeneration.
5. What are the symptoms?
As mentioned before, the dry type usually causes a slow deterioration of your central vision. An early symptom of the wet type is that straight lines appear wavy. This occurs when blood and fluid leak out of the fragile blood vessels and distort the macula. Rapid vision loss is also a symptom of wet macular degeneration. Many people with macular degeneration have no visual impairment.
In Jason’s next article he will give the remaining 5 questions people ask about Macular Degeneration.
Jason W. Hendrix, M.D. is a local Eye Physician and Surgeon who specializes in cataract surgery and diseases of the eye including the treatment of age-related macular degeneration. He is located at the Saint George Eye Center, 676 South Bluff Street, Suite 208, Saint George, Utah. Contact him at 435-628-4507 or visit www.stgec.com.