What is AMD?
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of sight loss in the UK – affecting more than 600,000 people. It typically affects people over 50 but can happen earlier.
The macula is an area at the back of your eye which is responsible for your central vision, most of your colour vision and making out fine detail. When the macula is damaged it then becomes harder to read, watch TV or to recognise faces. Your peripheral vision (the edge of your vision) is not normally affected.
It is not painful and it does not affect the appearance of your eyes.
There are two forms of AMD – dry and wet.
What is dry AMD?
Dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common type of AMD and happens as we age. It is a gradual deterioration of the macula as the retinal cells die off and are not renewed. The progression of dry AMD varies, but people often carry on as normal for some time as the deterioration happens over a period of years.
There is no treatment for dry AMD. However, there are some steps that you can take that may help reduce the risk of the condition from getting worse.
What is wet AMD?
Wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) develops when abnormal blood vessels grow into the macula. These leak blood or fluid which leads to scarring of the macula and rapid loss of central vision. Wet AMD can develop very suddenly, but it can now be treated if caught quickly.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms can vary but may include:
- Straight lines appear distorted or bent (like door frames or lampposts)
- Spots or smudges may appear in your vision
- Colours can look faded or pale
- Bright light is glaring and uncomfortable
- Words might disappear when you are reading
The symptoms are similar for dry and wet AMD but wet AMD happens quicker and deteriorates more rapidly so it is more noticeable.
What causes AMD?
The cause of AMD is not known but there are a number of factors associated with the development of the condition.
- Age is the main risk factor. As we age cell regeneration reduces, this increases the risk of developing the condition. 1 in 200 people have AMD at 60. However, by the age of 90 it affects 1 in 5. Because we are living longer the number of people affected is increasing.
- A family history of macular degeneration will increase your chances of developing AMD.
- Smoking damages blood vessels and the structure of the eye. Smokers are up to four times more likely to develop macular degeneration than non-smokers. If you also have a particular common gene for AMD you are twenty times more likely to develop the condition if you smoke. Stopping smoking after you have developed AMD can also help reduce the risk of your eye condition getting worse.
- A poor diet low in fruit and vegetables may increase the risk of AMD. Antioxidants and other substances in fruit and vegetables protect the body against the effects of ‘free radicals’. These are unstable molecules that damage cells or prevent cell repair.
- Alcohol destroys antioxidants. Obesity and a diet with lots of sugars and hydrogenated or saturated fats also increases the risk of developing AMD.
- Anyone with high blood pressure is one and a half times more likely to have AMD than those with normal blood pressure.
Can I drive if I have AMD?
Having AMD can make it unsafe for your drive. Ask your ophthalmologist or specialist if you should stop driving. You are required by law to advise the DVLA of your condition if have been told you may not meet the visual standards for driving by a GP, optometrist or eye specialist.
https://www.gov.uk/eye-conditions-and-driving
For practical advice or for more information about AMD visit https://www.macularsociety.org/ or
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/age-related-macular-degeneration-amd/ or
https://www.rnib.org.uk/your-eyes/eye-conditions-az/age-related-macular-degeneration-amd/