Age-related macular degeneration (AMD for short) is a disease of the eye in which damage to the macula (site of sharpest vision) occurs in old age. Macular degeneration can thus lead to loss of vision in the middle of the visual range.
Macular degeneration sufferers recognize this by the fact that a blurred spot appears in the middle of the visual field and straight lines suddenly appear crooked.
Over time, the spot becomes larger and larger, so that in the advanced stage only the vision of shadowy outlines is possible. The affected patients are significantly impaired in their everyday lives, as activities such as reading, driving or watching TV become impossible.
Age-related macular degeneration can occur from the age of 50. Approximately 4.5 million people in Germany are currently affected. AMD is one of the most common causes of blindness in Western industrialized nations.
85% of all AMD patients suffer from the dry form of macular degeneration. This leads to small deposits under the retina and thus to a loss of light-sensitive sensory cells. Dry macular degeneration is rather slow in the course of the disease (over years) and vision is initially only slightly reduced. This gradual loss of vision often goes unnoticed.
If the dry form changes to the moist form, this can quickly lead to blindness. Treatment is not yet possible in the case of dry macular degeneration. However, we recommend prophylaxis with certain nutrients and vitamins. Supplementing daily food can slow down the course of the disease.
You are welcome to contact us for prevention. We will discuss with you your personal needs for vitamins C and E, trace elements such as zinc and copper or lutein, zeaxanthin and the essential omega-3 fatty acids.
In this form of macular degeneration, pathological blood vessels grow into the retina. The walls of the blood vessels leak and fluid and blood leak out. This eventually leads to the destruction of the sensitive sensory cells.
The first signs are difficulty reading, blurring letters and distorting or missing lines. A dark spot appears in the middle of the field of vision. Over time, this spot expands further and further, followed by massive vision loss and even blindness.
There are medications to treat wet macular degeneration. They can stop the rapid course of the disease and even bring about an improvement in previously lost vision.
One possible form of treatment is intravitreal injection therapy: to stop blood vessel formation in wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and reduce swelling, a drug is injected directly into the eye with a syringe (intravitreal injection).
Thus, the drug can act directly in the eye and causes much fewer side effects than tablets or eye drops. The injection takes place under local anaesthetic and is usually not painful. This treatment aims to maintain visual acuity.
ONLINE LASER EYE TEST!
Are you wondering if you’re a good candidate for laser eye surgery? Take our online eligibility test now and find out your results in just a few clicks. Then book your consultation at our laser eye surgery center in Stuttgart or at our laser eye surgery center in Karlsruhe.
For the correct diagnosis, we rely on high-quality products from ZEISS, which offer advanced options for assisting with findings and laser eye surgery. These devices include the Cirrus™ HD-OCT and fundus photography with the VISUCAM®. With these state-of-the-art diagnostic techniques, we can accurately assess the progression of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
The following test should be performed monthly from the age of 50. Nevertheless, this test does not replace a regular check-up by your ophthalmologist!
Book your personal consultation online now—with no obligation!
Laser Eye Surgery, Diagnostics & Consultations on Ophthalmology at the Bányai Laser Eye Center – Dr. Liliana Bányai
