Macular degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is a very serious illness of the retina and is the most common cause of severe loss of eye sight in older people. In developed countries it actually is the most common cause of practical blindness. It is more common in women then in men.
With macular degeneration the macula (central part of the retina) becomes damaged. The disease exists in two forms – dry and moist. The moist form progresses rapidly and may damage eye sight within a few weeks or months. If recognised early, it is possible to prevent the loss of eye sight using modern medication.
The disease may be inauspicious at onset. Eyesight worsens at dusk and in darkness, vision becomes slightly hazy and colours are not as bright as previously. Especially those who already wear glasses often blame the initial symptoms of the age-related macular degeneration on normal natural worsening of eye sight.
The very first subjectively noticeable symptoms of age-related macular degeneration are a cloudy look, grey-ish areas in the central part of vision, unusually out-of-focus vision or wavy, bent lines and letters. From the early onset of this disease, patients lose the ability to read, recognise familiar faces, recognise colours and perceive all shapes as crooked.
Dry form of ARMD
The dry form of ARMD manifests itself through the inability to see sharply the spot on which you are currently trying to focus. The centre is blurred but the peripheral vision remains unaffected. In a more advanced phase of the disease, all you see is a grey or black spot in the centre of your vision.
Moist form of ARMD
During the early phase of the moist form of ARMD, your vision may be cloudy, and you may see things as deformed. With the moist form of ARMD you may perceive letters and straight lines as wavy or bent. The moist form of age-related macular degeneration progresses rapidly – therefore do not hesitate and visit your doctor promptly.
Age-related macular degeneration often affects only one eye at first, which reduces the ability of subjective recognition of the symptoms. People often realise they are suffering from age-related macular degeneration only once the diseases is at a more advanced phase, when the macula in the eye’s retina is already seriously damaged, and sight is irreversibly impaired. Sometimes the disease becomes apparent during a random eye examination. The other eye becomes affected usually within the next few years with the risk increasing by 10% annually. Within five years, the second eye becomes damaged in half the patients, within 10 years it is certain that both eyes will be damaged.
Treatment
Macular degeneration is unfortunately one of the diseases that it is impossible to cure completely even with all the available modern treatments. It is, however, possible to control the course of the disease and to halt its further development. Treatment, however, will not ensure normal vision. To maintain one’s vision it is essential for those affected to come to see their doctor in time. In other words, it is essential to not underestimate regular preventive check-ups where it is possible to discover potential changes in the retina and do something about it.
Despite all the possibilities of today’s medicine, to date, there is no cure for the dry form of age-related macular degeneration. Doctors recommend using dietary supplements containing lutein, vitamin E and zinc. On the other hand, it is possible to control or effectively halt the moist form of the disease using biological treatment – antiVEGF injections. Biological treatment supresses the growth of new capillaries, prevents bleeding and swelling and significantly improves sharpness of vision. The treatment is painless, the substance is applied using an injection (having first anaesthetised the area) directly into the eye. Some of the patients experience improved vision, in most patients the changes to the retina are stabilised and do not worsen any further.
The treatment options for macular degeneration are limited. This is why specialists stress the importance of prevention through which it is possible to impact the risk of the development of this disease. Healthy and well-balanced nutrition with sufficient anti-oxidants is essential. We recommend heeding your doctor’s orders – reduce/stop smoking, use protective eyewear, when undergoing cataract or other eye surgery, use intraocular lenses with a yellow filter that protects the retina.