Age-Related Macular Degeneration
AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (or AMD) is an age-related disease where “waste material” builds up under the retina and distorts the central vision. It progressively gets worse over time and can result in the individual losing their entire central vision in the affected eye. It is one of the most debilitating visual pathologies in first world countries.
There are two types of AMD; Dry & Wet.
Dry Macular Degeneration is the early-moderate stage and is formed by the build-up of the hard "waste material" under the cells of the retina.
Wet Macular Degeneration is the late stage of the disease, and is caused by leakage from surrounding blood vessels and causes rapid deterioration in vision.
RISK FACTORS
Age: AMD is present in 2% of Americans in their 50’s, and 25% over 65 years old(1).
Genetics: there is a strong genetic component to the disease, which means it occurs more in individuals with a family member who has the disease.
Smoking: including second-hand smoking. This is the largest modifiable risk factor, with current smokers being up to four times more likely to develop AMD, and smokers seem to develop AMD up to 10 years earlier than non-smokers(2).
DIAGNOSIS
The only symptom you may notice with Macular Degeneration is distortion or changes in your central vision. AMD is diagnosed through regular Eye Examinations with your Optometrishrough looking at the back of your eyes and taking images with a retinal camera and OCT.
You can self-screen for Macular Degeneration with an AMSLER Grid (found here https://www.nzao.co.nz/sites/default/files/sos2014/amsler_grid.pdf). However, this grid doesn't mean you can skip regular visits to your Optometrist, as they will still be able to pick up things that the grid alone doesn't tell you, and also be able to tell which stage of AMD you are at.
TREATMENT
There is no current treatment for dry macular degeneration. Wet Macular Degeneration can be treated with intravitreal injections.
Recent studies (specifically the Age-Related Eye Disease Study; AREDS(3)) have found that patients with moderate Macular Degeneration can lower their risk of progression by about 25 percent when treated with a high-dose combination of vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and copper.
However, a physician should always be consulted before taking supplements as there is a chance that the supplements may interfere with any medication that you are taking or may cause undesired side effects.
There is also evidence that a diet high in antioxidants can reduce the risk of developing Macular Degeneration. Further research is needed before definitive recommendations can be made regarding the role that diet has in the development of the disease, however fruits and vegetables, especially those high in lutein and zeaxanthin, appear to provide the best protection.
Lutein can be found in spinach, collard greens, kale, broccoli, papaya, oranges, kiwi, mango, green beans, peaches, sweet potatoes, lima beans, squash, red grapes, and green bell peppers.
Zeaxanthin can be found in yellow corn, honeydew melon, squash, oranges, mango, kale, apricots, peaches, and orange bell peppers.
REFERENCES
Macular Degeneration | Rand Eye Institute. (2021). Retrieved 18 August 2021, from Reference here
Smoking and sight loss. (2021). Retrieved 18 August 2021, from Reference here
The Age-Related Eye Disease Study: A Clinical Trial of Zinc and Antioxidants—Age-Related Eye Disease Study Report No. 2. (2000). The Journal Of Nutrition, 130(5), 1516S-1519S. doi: 10.1093/jn/130.5.1516s