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Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive
disease of the retina, and is the most common cause of
severe vision loss in older adults. AMD damages the center of
the retina called the macula, which provides fine detail for
reading and driving. Although we don’t know the cause of
AMD, risk factors include family history, smoking, high blood
pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and sun exposure. In addition, women and people
with light skin and eye color appear to be at greater risk than others for developing the
condition.
There are two forms of AMD: dry and wet. The hallmark of
dry AMD is tiny spots in the retina called drusen. A national
study called the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS)
showed that high dose antioxidant supplements can reduce
progression of dry AMD by 25 percent. The AREDS
recommendations include betacarotene 15 mg, vitamin C
500 mg, vitamin E 400 IU, zinc 80 mg, and copper 2 mg.
You should discuss vitamin therapy with your medical
doctor, as certain vitamins should not be given with
particular medical conditions.
The wet form, also known as neovascular AMD, is more
serious and occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow in
the macula. These vessels leak blood and fluid causing
swelling of the retina. The blood vessels quickly progress
and impair central vision. The first sign of wet AMD is
distorted vision: straight lines look bent, words are
crooked, and letters jumble or disappear. As the disease
progresses, a central dark spot develops and central vision
worsens. If you have these symptoms you must see an eye
doctor immediately.
In Suffolk County 17,000 people have wet AMD. However,
the good news is that we now have effective, FDAapproved
medications that halt vision loss in 90 percent of
patients and improve vision in 40 percent. The new
treatments are Macugen Lucentis, and Avastin. They are
sometimes used in combination and require serial
treatments with intraocular injections.
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Stay FOCUSED
Protect your eyesight.
With AMD, healthy living
is critically important.
Here are some guidelines
to follow:
• Quit smoking.
• Eat a diet rich in
antioxidants, such as
those found in fruits, dark
green, leafy vegetables,
green tea, white tea, and
red wine.
• Eat Omega-3 fatty
acids that are found in
fish, such as salmon.
• Wear sunglasses.
• Keep your blood
pressure and cholesterol
under control.
• Call your eye doctor if
you notice changes in
your vision.
• Tell your eye doctor
about any changes in
your health or
medications.
—Weber
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