Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age related macular degeneration, or AMD, is a condition which primarily affects people over age 60. In this condition, there is a breakdown in the delicate structures in the retina leading to loss of central vision. People with macular degeneration experience distortion or blurring of their central vision, while maintaining good peripheral vision. You can not go completely blind from macular degeneration, though the vision can be significantly impaired.

The macula is the portion of the retina inside the eye which is the structure responsible for fine detail vision. This is the vision that we use for reading, driving, seeing the clock, and recognizing faces. With macular degeneration, the function of this portion of the eye is partially or completely lost. Thus, people with macular degeneration often have difficulty with normal daily activities due to the loss of detail vision.

There are two forms of macular degeneration. There is the "dry" form in which the tissue appears to weaken and degenerate without changes in the blood vessels inside the eye. The "wet" form of macular degeneration involves abnormal blood vessels which develop inside the eye, damaging the delicate macular tissue. Unfortunately, there is no effective treatment of the dry variety of this condition. The wet form, though it can cause severe vision loss fairly quickly, can often be treated if it is caught early. Although vision lost will not return, there are several treatments available now which can slow the progress of this condition, and reduce the likelihood of further vision loss in some cases. These include laser treatments with the argon laser, a newer laser treatment known as photodynamic therapy (PDT), and injections into the eye with special medications, such as MacugenR, LucentisR, and AvastinR.

Recent studies suggest that those who have early forms of macular degeneration can benefit from taking certain vitamin supplements. Our doctors also recommend people eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, especially dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale. In one study completed recently, people with early changes in their eyes associated with macular degeneration were 19% less likely to develop severe vision loss when they took a vitamin supplement containing vitamin C (500 mg), vitamin E (400 mg), beta-carotene (15 mg), zinc (80 mg) and copper (2 mg).

It is recommended that if you wish to begin a program of vitamin supplementation, you check with your doctor first. Smokers, for example, are at higher risk of developing lung cancer if they take supplemental beta carotene (vitamin A), and other medical conditions may alter the benefit of different vitamin supplements.