yomearsoperson
New Member
The #1 Step to Protect Your Vision With Macular Degeneration
Key Points
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can lead to loss of central vision, but doesn't usually cause total blindness.
- Getting regular eye exams early on can help slow the progression of AMD.
- Treatments like anti-VEGF injections can help people with a more serious form of AMD keep their vision stable.
Elliot Portman, 65, wasn't surprised when he found out he had age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a condition that affects central vision.
NIH National Eye Institute.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
His father also had AMD and told him to get regular eye exams starting at 40, because the condition can run in the family.
Portman followed this advice and was diagnosed and referred to a specialist to keep a close eye on his condition.
"I'm thankful to my dad and happy I was smart enough to listen," said Portman, a trial attorney from Long Island, NY.
By his early 50s, he started seeing gray spots in his vision, a sign that the disease had moved to a more serious form called wet AMD.
With regular treatment, Portman kept his eyesight, though with a little distortion.
"I can't read street signs or license plates when driving, but I can see the traffic and pedestrians.
Audio GPS has been a real help," he said.
Almost 20 million U.S. adults have some form of AMD.
While it doesn't cause total blindness, it can impact daily life, especially if it gets worse. Experts say regular eye exams are important because early treatment can help people with AMD keep their vision.
Getting Diagnosed Early Helps
It's important to get diagnosed early because signs of macular degeneration can appear before you notice any symptoms.
"The most important thing people can do to catch AMD early is to have regular eye exams and make sure to keep any follow-up appointments," said Yu Hyon Kim, MD, an ophthalmologist at Montefiore Health System in New York City.
Regular eye exams include checking the retina, which can help find AMD early.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology suggests regular eye exams starting at age 40 for people with no signs or risk factors for eye disease:
- Ages 40-54: every 2-4 years
- Ages 55-64: every 1-3 years
- Ages 65 and older: every 1-2 years
"Of course, see your eye doctor more often if they recommend it, or if you notice any changes in your vision," Kim said.
Two Types of AMD
People with AMD may lose central vision, but they can still see from the sides of their eyes and aren't completely blind.
There are two types of macular degeneration—dry AMD and wet AMD.
Dry AMD, the most common type, can affect one or both eyes and progresses slowly through different stages. About 10-15% of people with dry AMD develop wet AMD, a more serious form where abnormal blood vessels grow under the macula and retina, leading to fluid or blood leaking.
This leaking can cause bulges in the macula and dark spots in the center of vision, like the gray spots Portman began seeing.
"Without treatment, this can result in total loss of central vision," Kim said.
Common symptoms of AMD include:
- Fuzzy or blurry vision
- Trouble recognizing familiar faces
- Straight lines appear wavy
- A dark, empty area or blind spot in the center of your vision
How Is AMD Treated?
There's no cure for dry AMD, but if vision loss gets worse, your doctor may suggest low vision devices, such as telescopes, magnifiers, or phones with large print.
An augmented reality visor can also help some people "fill in" central vision, though it's not usually covered by insurance.
Studies from the National Eye Institute found that AREDS supplements—vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, zinc, copper, and zeaxanthin—may slow the progression of dry AMD.
For wet AMD, the main treatment is anti-VEGF injections, which can reduce damage from abnormal blood vessels and keep vision stable.
The procedure involves putting drops in the eye to numb it and then injecting medication into the white part of the eye.
It's usually painless, but some people may feel temporary dryness afterward and need to use saline drops every hour or two.
"At first, I couldn't imagine a needle in my eye," Portman said.
"Now I just come to the appointment, get the treatment, and go back to what I was doing."
Portman's goal with his treatment is to have longer time between injections, which shows his vision is stabilizing.
"So far, that's happening," he added.
Key Points
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can lead to loss of central vision, but doesn't usually cause total blindness.
- Getting regular eye exams early on can help slow the progression of AMD.
- Treatments like anti-VEGF injections can help people with a more serious form of AMD keep their vision stable.
Elliot Portman, 65, wasn't surprised when he found out he had age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a condition that affects central vision.
NIH National Eye Institute.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
His father also had AMD and told him to get regular eye exams starting at 40, because the condition can run in the family.
Portman followed this advice and was diagnosed and referred to a specialist to keep a close eye on his condition.
"I'm thankful to my dad and happy I was smart enough to listen," said Portman, a trial attorney from Long Island, NY.
By his early 50s, he started seeing gray spots in his vision, a sign that the disease had moved to a more serious form called wet AMD.
With regular treatment, Portman kept his eyesight, though with a little distortion.
"I can't read street signs or license plates when driving, but I can see the traffic and pedestrians.
Audio GPS has been a real help," he said.
Almost 20 million U.S. adults have some form of AMD.
While it doesn't cause total blindness, it can impact daily life, especially if it gets worse. Experts say regular eye exams are important because early treatment can help people with AMD keep their vision.
Getting Diagnosed Early Helps
It's important to get diagnosed early because signs of macular degeneration can appear before you notice any symptoms.
"The most important thing people can do to catch AMD early is to have regular eye exams and make sure to keep any follow-up appointments," said Yu Hyon Kim, MD, an ophthalmologist at Montefiore Health System in New York City.
Regular eye exams include checking the retina, which can help find AMD early.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology suggests regular eye exams starting at age 40 for people with no signs or risk factors for eye disease:
- Ages 40-54: every 2-4 years
- Ages 55-64: every 1-3 years
- Ages 65 and older: every 1-2 years
"Of course, see your eye doctor more often if they recommend it, or if you notice any changes in your vision," Kim said.
Two Types of AMD
People with AMD may lose central vision, but they can still see from the sides of their eyes and aren't completely blind.
There are two types of macular degeneration—dry AMD and wet AMD.
Dry AMD, the most common type, can affect one or both eyes and progresses slowly through different stages. About 10-15% of people with dry AMD develop wet AMD, a more serious form where abnormal blood vessels grow under the macula and retina, leading to fluid or blood leaking.
This leaking can cause bulges in the macula and dark spots in the center of vision, like the gray spots Portman began seeing.
"Without treatment, this can result in total loss of central vision," Kim said.
Common symptoms of AMD include:
- Fuzzy or blurry vision
- Trouble recognizing familiar faces
- Straight lines appear wavy
- A dark, empty area or blind spot in the center of your vision
How Is AMD Treated?
There's no cure for dry AMD, but if vision loss gets worse, your doctor may suggest low vision devices, such as telescopes, magnifiers, or phones with large print.
An augmented reality visor can also help some people "fill in" central vision, though it's not usually covered by insurance.
Studies from the National Eye Institute found that AREDS supplements—vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, zinc, copper, and zeaxanthin—may slow the progression of dry AMD.
For wet AMD, the main treatment is anti-VEGF injections, which can reduce damage from abnormal blood vessels and keep vision stable.
The procedure involves putting drops in the eye to numb it and then injecting medication into the white part of the eye.
It's usually painless, but some people may feel temporary dryness afterward and need to use saline drops every hour or two.
"At first, I couldn't imagine a needle in my eye," Portman said.
"Now I just come to the appointment, get the treatment, and go back to what I was doing."
Portman's goal with his treatment is to have longer time between injections, which shows his vision is stabilizing.
"So far, that's happening," he added.