Macular degeneration is an eye disease and is the most common type of macular damage in adults. Because the disease develops as a person ages, it is often known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

1. MACULAR DEGENERATION
CAUSES | SYMPTOMS | TREATMENT

2. INTRODUCTION TO MACULAR DEGENERATION
The front of the eye contains a lens that focuses images on the
retina in the back of the eye. The retina contains special nerve
cells that react to light. These nerve cells are very close
together in the middle of the retina, where the eye focuses the
images that we see. This part of the retina is called the macula.
The macula provides sharp vision that enables you to see small
detail, read fine print, recognize faces, and see signboards.
Macular degeneration is an eye disease and is the most
common type of macular damage in adults. Because the
disease develops as a person ages, it is often known as age-
related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is the leading
cause of vision loss in people over the age of 50 around the
world.

3. CAUSES OF AGE-RELATED MACULAR
DEGENERATION
The precise cause of age-related macular degeneration is
unknown to the medical fraternity. However, there are some
risk factors including:
 Genetic factors
 Nutritional factors
 Smoking
 High blood pressure
 Exposure to direct sunlight over a period of years
 Certain medical conditions


4. TYPES OF AGE-RELATED MACULAR
DEGENERATION
There are two types of age-related macular degeneration, the
dry and the wet form.
The dry form affects about 85-90 percent of patients and
usually begins when tiny yellow deposits called drusen appear
in the macula. Drusen usually do not cause serious loss of
vision, but can distort vision.
The wet form occurs in about 10-15 percent of patients. It is
caused by the growth of abnormal blood vessels beneath the
macula that can leak fluid and blood into the eye. The wet
form normally causes major vision problems, such as blind
spots and loss of central vision, in the affected eye, and can
advance rapidly.

5. SYMPTOMS OF AGE-RELATED MACULAR
DEGENERATION
Age-related macular degeneration doesn't have symptoms
and is not recognized until it affects vision. The first
symptom of this eye disease is usually noticed when
straight lines appear wavy. This may lead to a gradual loss
of central vision. Other symptoms include:
 Blurring and dimming of vision
 A dark or blank spot in the centre of the vision
 The size or colour of something looks different when
viewed through different eyes

6. TREATMENT OF AGE-RELATED MACULAR
DEGENERATION
 Anti-angiogenesis medications: There are several drugs that
prevent the growth of abnormal blood vessels. These drugs
are injected into the eye to cause the blood vessels to shrink.
This treatment may improve vision in some patients and
stabilize it in most patients.
 Photodynamic therapy: The eye doctor injects a light-
sensitive drug into the bloodstream to be absorbed by the
abnormal blood vessels in the eye. He/She then shines a cold
laser into the eye to activate the drug, damaging the
abnormal blood vessels.
 Laser therapy: High-energy lights are used to destroy
actively growing abnormal blood vessels.

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