In the disease of age-related macular degeneration (AMD for short), the most common cause of severe visual impairment in people over the age of 60. In Germany alone, over four million people are affected by age-related macular degeneration.
AMD or macular degeneration is often also referred to as ARMD. The abbreviation is derived from the full English term of the disease “Age Related Macular Degeneration”.
In the disease macular degeneration (AMD), the macula, the center of vision (macula, “yellow spot”) is affected as the site of the sharpest vision. Small whitish or yellow deposits form under the retina of the macula, the so-called drusen. This destroys visual cells in the middle of the retina, which enable sharp and coloured vision in macular degeneration. Central visual acuity decreases. In the later stage of the disease, a bright, gray or black spot appears in the middle of the visual field, which becomes larger and larger over time. If left untreated, there can be a sharp decrease in vision and a severe visual impairment – a total loss of vision – so complete blindness does not usually occur with AMD, as peripheral vision is still preserved.
A distinction must be made between dry AMD (age-related macular degeneration) and wet AMD (age-related macular degeneration). Especially the latter can lead to a rapid loss of vision.
In ophthalmology, the macula refers to a part in the center of the retina. In the macula, the visual cells are strongly bundled. This section of the retina is called the macula (Latin for “macula lutea” or “yellow spot”). Vision is sharpest in the macula. It is therefore also called the “place of central vision”.
In macular degeneration, the central visual field is damaged and affected, depending on the type of macular degeneration.
The causes of AMD (age-related macular degeneration) are sometimes still unclear and are still being researched. However, it is certain that smoking, eye strain from strong light (especially UV) and high blood pressure are causes of macular degeneration. In addition, the genetic predisposition also plays a decisive role in whether you get macular degeneration.
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Basically, there are two forms of AMD, dry macular degeneration and wet macular degeneration.
Dry macular degeneration (AMD) is caused by the disturbance in the breakdown of metabolic products in the eye, which form small yellow dots called drusen. At the onset of the disease, little happens until the drusen begin to destroy and dissolve the retina. The course of the disease is steady over several years and the associated ever-increasing visual disturbances occur.
In wet macular degeneration (AMD), diseased blood vessels from the choroid grow into and under the retina. This macular degeneration allows blood and fluid to flow into and around the retina. So there is bleeding and swelling. This forms scar tissue in the middle of the retina. The wet form of macular degeneration progresses faster untreated than the dry form of macular degeneration.
The wet form of macular degeneration occurs in about 15 percent of patients with macular degeneration.
At the beginning of age-related macular degeneration disease, spatial perception is usually still possible. With increasing age, there is usually an increased sensitivity to glare, low contrast and also a disturbance in colour perception due to macular degeneration. In addition, the recognition of faces, numbers and letters can become increasingly difficult or almost impossible due to age-related macular degeneration.
Finally, macular degeneration leads to a completely distorted perception.
In the early stage of macular degeneration, the following symptoms usually occur:
If you experience these symptoms of macular degeneration, it is advisable to go to the ophthalmologist immediately. This can detect age-related macular degeneration (AMD) at an early stage and initiate ways to treat it and maintain its vision for as long as possible.
In the advanced stage of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), further and more severe symptoms appear. Recognizing faces as well as numbers and letters is more difficult. If the reading power decreases over time, magnifying vision aids (such as reading magnifiers, luminescent magnifiers, magnifying glasses,…) can be used.
The entire visual field is limited by macular degeneration. The rate at which macular degeneration progresses depends on the form of macular degeneration. The wet form of macular degeneration proceeds faster than the dry one. Read more about the eye!
In order to diagnose macular degeneration (AMD), it is advisable to undergo an annual check-up with an ophthalmologist from the age of 60 – who examines the fundus of the eye by means of a slit lamp (ophthalmoscopy) and a special magnifying glass, among other things – in order to prevent macular degeneration. The specialist can already detect the smallest changes to the retina caused by drusen or so-called pigment epithelial shifts. If the disease macular degeneration is detected early by your ophthalmologist, he can determine the right time to start treatment for macular degeneration in order to prevent progression of macular degeneration.
The diagnosis of macular degeneration itself is carried out by us using specially developed devices from Zeiss. Thanks to these devices, we are able to closely track the development of age-related macular degeneration.
The Amsler Grid Eye Test is a self-checking tool to determine if you already have signs of macular degeneration (AMD). To do this, they look at the grid shown here and check themselves for the following manifestations of macular degeneration:
Depending on the form of macular degeneration, the treatment method or therapy is also adapted.
Dry macular degeneration is treated with a high-dose vitamin trace element mixture. This mixture delays the disease and loss of vision and slows down the course of the disease.
In wet macular degeneration, a so-called intravitreal syringe is used. For this purpose, certain drugs (so-called VEGF antagonists – which inhibit vascular growth) are injected into the inside of the eye – i.e. into the vitreous body. This procedure is performed under local anesthesia and is usually painless. The drug acts on the affected area and is therefore much safer than taking a tablet.
Since the disease macular degeneration is not curable, therapy can only delay the progression of macular degeneration. Ideally, age-related macular degeneration can even be stopped in most patients. This goal must of course be achieved in all patients in order to prevent severe visual impairment due to macular degeneration.
For further consultation, it is advisable to arrange a personal meeting with us. We will inform you in full about all the details and can also take action if necessary.
Interesting: Lutein is a substance that is also naturally found in the macula, but is not produced by the body itself. Lutein is therefore an important building block in the prevention of this eye disease. Lutein is mainly found in green vegetables such as spinach, kale, broccoli, peppers and peas, but also in corn. It can also be taken over various fruits such as nectarines, peaches, apricots or oranges. Chicken egg yolks are another source.
High doses of antioxidants such as beta-carotene, vitamins C and E, as well as zinc, can effectively slow down the pathological course of macular degeneration.
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Laser Eye Surgery, Diagnostics & Consultations on Ophthalmology at the Bányai Laser Eye Center – Dr. Liliana Bányai
Yes, age-related macular degeneration can also lead to blindness. Smoking in particular promotes blindness due to AMD (age-related macular degeneration). It is therefore advisable to stop smoking immediately.
Age-related macular degeneration can be delayed and, at best, stopped. This depends on the way. The disease cannot be cured. Nevertheless, research is constantly working on a medical solution.
Early diagnosis helps with this. You should arrange a check-up with your ophthalmologist at least once a year from the age of 60. This can detect even the smallest gland formation on the retina and detect age-dependent macular degeneration.
Dry macular degeneration can turn into wet macular degeneration, as blood vessels can also grow into the retina during the course of the disease. This change can lead to further deterioration of vision and distorted vision. The risk is also increased if wet macular degeneration is already present in the second eye. To treat age-related macular degeneration, it is best to book a personal consultation with one of our ophthalmologists.
To be sure whether you suffer from age-related macular degeneration or not, we advise you to visit our practice. During this visit, you will be subjected to a detailed examination. This allows us to determine whether or not you suffer from macular degeneration.
Alternatively, a check-up with the ophthalmologist is recommended; he or she can also detect developing or progressive macular degeneration.
