Macular Degeneration

Key Points

Overview

Commonly affected areas:

Macular degeneration is a condition in which the macula, the small central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision, gradually breaks down. It usually develops with age and is often called age-related macular degeneration (AMD). There are two main forms. Dry AMD is more common and progresses slowly as the macula thins and yellow deposits called drusen build up. Wet AMD is less common but more serious, as abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina and leak fluid or blood. The condition does not cause complete blindness, but loss of central vision can make reading, driving and recognising faces difficult.

Signs and Symptoms

People with macular degeneration may experience:

• Blurred or fuzzy central vision, especially when reading
• Straight lines appearing wavy, bent or distorted
• A dark, empty or blurry spot in the centre of vision
• Needing brighter light for close-up tasks
• Colours appearing less vivid than before
• Difficulty recognising faces from a normal distance

Things That Increase the Risk

Your risk of macular degeneration may be higher if you:

• Are over 50 years of age
• Smoke or have a history of smoking
• Have a family history of macular degeneration
• Have high blood pressure or heart disease
• Have obesity or a diet low in fruits and vegetables
• Have lighter eye colour or significant sun exposure

Diagnosis

Diagnosis typically involves:

• Dilated eye examination of the retina
• Amsler grid test for central vision distortion
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan
• Fluorescein angiography to detect leaking vessels
• OCT angiography as a dye-free alternative

Treatment & Management

• Stop smoking
• Eat a diet rich in leafy greens and fish
• Check your vision at home with an Amsler grid
• Use magnifiers and good lighting

• Eye vitamin supplements for intermediate dry AMD
• Anti-VEGF injections for wet AMD
• Photodynamic therapy in selected cases
• Vitrectomy surgery for major bleeding complications

Prevention

Ways to protect your eyes include:

Macular degeneration cannot always be prevented, especially when it runs in families, but some steps can lower risk or slow its progress.

• Avoid smoking and second-hand smoke
• Eat plenty of vegetables, fruit and oily fish
• Keep blood pressure and cholesterol under control
• Wear sunglasses that block UV light
• Have regular eye checks after age 50

Related Conditions

You might also want to learn about:

• Diabetic Retinopathy
• Cataract
• Glaucoma
• Retinal Detachment