Age-Related Macular Degeneration

By Tom Boyles, Dustin Broadus, Lori Buckle, Constance Marsh, and April Seybold

What is Macular Degeneration?

Macular Degeneration is a group of progressive eye conditions which involve deterioration of the macula, the central region of the retina. Partial list of types of Macular Degeneration:
Age-Related Macular Degeneration Juvenile Macular Degeneration or Macular Dystrophy Stargardts Disease, a type of Juvenile Macular Degeneration

RISK FACTORS for MACULAR DEGENERATION

Smoking Family history of the disease Obesity High blood pressure Having a lighter eye color Possible side effect of some drugs

SOCIETAL IMPACT
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD or AMD) is the most common cause of irreversible vision loss in Americans over the age of 60. Estimations say 10 million Americans will experience ARMD during their lifetime.

There are two general types of Age-Related Macular Degeneration:

Dry (non-neovascular or atrophic)
Early stage, less severe 85%-95% of cases Most common symptom is burry vision 3 Stages: Early, Intermediate, & Advanced

Wet (neovascular or exudative)

More severe than Dry ARMD Early symptom: Straight lines appear wavy Central vision blind spots develop Two sub-types: Occult & Classic

How is it diagnosed?
If retinal damage is suspected, an ophthalmologist will perform a retinal exam.

Fluorescein angiography is used to examine the retinal blood vessels.

In Dry ARMD yellowish waste deposits, called drusen form on the retina.

In Wet ARMD unwanted, proliferating blood vessels leak blood & fluid causing permanent damage to lightsensitive retinal cells.

An Amsler grid assists with diagnosis

An Amsler grid is a tool that eye doctors use to detect vision problems resulting from damage to the macula. The lines may look wavy if you have Early Dry ARMD.

Small blind spots may appear in your vision as dry macular degeneration progresses.

CHANGES IN THE MACULA

What impact does ARMD have on the vision?

Distorted Vision Loss of sharp, central vision needed for reading, driving, etc. Difficulty seeing fine detail Difficulty seeing color clearly

Common Treatments
There is no cure for Dry or Wet ARMD at this point in time. No FDA-approved treatments exist for Dry ARMD. Studies indicate taking vitamins A, C, and E, zinc, lutein, antioxidants, & Omega-3 oils may help prevent or slow Dry Macular Degeneration.

Common Treatments
Various FDA approved drugs are used to slow down the progression of Wet ARMD.
Lucentis, Macugen Visudyne used with Photodynamic Therapy or PDT

What will improve the lives of individuals with ARMD?

Low vision aids such as magnifiers UV protected sunglasses Proper lighting for near tasks Regular visits to your ophthalmologist or optometrist

References
1. About AMD. Retrieved July 25, 2009, from http://www.eyeonamd.com/EyeOnAMD/about-amd.html 2. Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Retrieved July 25, 2009, from http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/maculardegen/armd_facts.asp 3. American Macular Degeneration Foundation. Stargardts Disease. Retrieved on July 26, 2009, from http://www.macular.org/stargardts.html 4. Dictionary of Eye Terminology 5th Edition. Barbara Cassin and Melin L. Rubin, Editor. 2006. Gainesville, Fl, pg 167. 5. Ken Moses, Ph. D. The Impact of Childhood Disability: The Parents Struggle. Retrieved July 26, 2009 from http://docs.google.com/gview?a=v&q=cache:FVUA1bWMnmAJ:www.dsact.com/images/docs/thei mpact08.pdf+ken+moses+disabled&hl=en&gl=us 6. Liz Segre. Amsler Grid: Test for Macular Degeneration or Other Vision Problems. Retrieved July 25, 2009, from http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/amsler-grid.htm 7. Marika Veisson. Depression Symptoms and Emotional States in Parents of Disabled and Non-Disabled Children. Retrieved July 26, 2009, from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3852/is_199901/ai_n8851290/ 8. Marilyn Maddrill. Macular Degeneration. Retrieved July 25, 2009, from http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/amd.htm 9. Marilyn Maddrill. Stargardt's Disease (Fundus Flavimaculatus). Retrieved July 26, 2009, from http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/stargardts.htm 10. Richard L. Windsor, O.D., F.A.A.O. and Laura K. Windsor, O.D., F.A.A.O. Understanding Stargardts Disease. Retrieved July 26, 2009, from http://www.lowvision.org/stargardts.htm