Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a progressive degenerative disease of the central retina of the eye.
AMD occurs primarily in white people, the elderly – after 50 years of age, more often in women than in men. The essence of the disease is the degenerative changes in the macula – the central part of the eye’s retina, responsible for sharp vision and distinguishing colors. The cause of AMD is not fully understood. A family predisposition to the disease has been shown, which suggests the genetic background of the ailments. In addition, AMD is more commonly found in people who smoke, have high blood pressure, have had a heart attack or stroke, and are on a diet low in antioxidants.
AMD comes in two forms: dry and wet.
Dry form is more common. Loss of vision progresses more slowly – initially, vision deteriorates in poor lighting, and individual letters of the text read are distorted. Dry AMD is caused by the death of the macular pigment cells and photoreceptors and the disappearance of the tiny blood vessels that supply it. The examination of the fundus shows the presence of the so-called drusen – deposits of metabolic products of the retina.
An exudative form AMD is progressing much faster. It may also apply to young people. Pathological blood vessels grow into the retina, resulting in irreversible disappearance of pigment cells and photoreceptors. There is a significant deterioration in visual acuity and color perception, and a dark spot appears in the field of view – the so-called central scotoma.
In the diagnosis of AMD, in addition to routine fundus examination, fluorescein angiography is also used – a test that visualizes pathological retinal vascularization, and optical coherence tomography (OCT), which allows to assess the thickness of the retina and the size of its pigment epithelial defect.
The primary AMD diagnostic test that anyone can do on their own at home is test Amslera.
There is no effective treatment for AMD. Research is being conducted on the usefulness of intraocular monoclonal antibodies to prevent pathological retinal vascularization. In the initial stages of the disease, laser therapy is also used to destroy it.
A diet rich in antioxidants is recommended for both the prevention and treatment of this disease. In addition, every person over 40 should perform a routine ophthalmological examination every year.
Text: SzB
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