Many patients are frightened of losing vision or going blind when they are told they have age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Fortunately, most patients with AMD can keep good vision for their entire lives, and even those who lose their central vision almost always maintain their side, or “peripheral” vision.

Spots in the Retina

When first diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration, in most cases you will have either no symptoms or a mild decrease or distortion in central vision. The diagnosis is made when the eye doctor sees tiny white spots in the retina when looking into your eyes with an ophthalmoscope. These spots are called “drusen,” which means “pebbles.” They represent tiny deposits of cellular waste products and immune system proteins. The doctor may then take several types of pictures of your retina to record its current appearance and to help determine whether there’s any worsening in the future.

Antioxidant Vitamins

If you have early AMD and at least a minimum number and size of drusen, you will be told to take certain antioxidant vitamins. A large clinical trial called the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) showed that a mixture of lutein, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and copper can reduce the risk of progression to advanced AMD by 25 percent. While there are many types of eye vitamins on the market, only those that use the “AREDS2” formula have been proven effective.

Lifestyle Changes

Modifications to your lifestyle can also reduce your risk of AMD progression. If you have any form of AMD, you will be advised to eat lots of fruits and vegetables, and fatty fish (salmon, tuna, sardines, or mackerel twice a week). Smoking is a major risk factor, so smoking cessation is critical. Evidence also suggests that excessive simple sugars or red meat are also risk factors. Sunglasses are advisable when out in bright light.

Home Tests: The Amsler Grid and the ForeseeHome® Monitor

If you have early AMD, it may progress to advanced AMD. It’s important to detect this change, if it occurs, because early treatment can be helpful. You should see an ophthalmologist at least once a year and should check your vision at home with a graph called an “Amsler” grid. Check each eye independently by closing one eye and looking at the dot in the center of the grid while wearing your reading glasses. If you see any missing or wavy lines on the graph that are worse than before, call your ophthalmologist.

The ForeseeHome Monitor® from Notal Vision® is the first FDA-cleared device for patients with dry AMD to monitor the disease at home. It is now a Medicare-covered service for patients enrolled in Medicare across the U.S., and who meet the eligibility criteria for dry AMD at high risk for converting to wet AMD. The device is designed to be used daily and takes approximately 3 minutes per eye. When used daily, the ForeseeHome Monitor detects changes before a patient would notice, and allows the doctor to monitor the vision for any changes that take place between regularly scheduled exams. In a clinical trial that involved over 1500 participants, the device demonstrated that 87-94% of users maintained 20/40 vision or better at the time of wet AMD detection, compared to only 62% of those who used conventional methods such as the Amsler grid. Vision at this level is significant because vision that is better than 20/40 allows patients to maintain their usual level of independence. They are able to read, maintain their driving license and continue to function at a very high level. A separate monitoring center processes each test and your prescribing doctor receives a monthly report. If there is a deviation from the usual testing, an alert would be triggered that would inform the prescribing doctor of a change that may be suggestive of wet macular degeneration. The prescribing doctor would then do a complete eye examination to assess if there has been a change to wet AMD. To learn more, please visit: http://www.foreseehome.com

Advanced Wet and Dry AMD

If your age-related macular degneneration progresses to advanced “wet” AMD, it will mean that new, leaky blood vessels have grown into your retina, and are damaging your vision. These vessels can be halted by injections of “anti-VEGF” medicines (Beovu®, Eylea®, Lucentis®, or Avastin®) into the eye every month or two. Your ophthalmologist will determine the required frequency by monitoring your progress with exams and retinal photographs. These injections may improve your vision, and are very likely to help prevent you from losing more central vision. Researchers are exploring longer-lasting treatments.

If your AMD progresses to the advanced “dry” form called “geographic atrophy,” which involves the slow, progressive wasting away and death of cells of the central retina (atrophy) with expansion of a central blind spot, then you may qualify to enroll in a clinical trial. There are currently no proven treatments for geographic atrophy, but several types of oral or injected drugs are being tested.

Low Vision Specialists

If you have lost a significant amount of central vision, then you should visit an optometrist called a “low vision specialist.” These specialists will provide advice regarding appropriate magnifiers and lights to help you make optimal use of your remaining vision.

Heredity and Prevention

Age-related macular degeneration is partially hereditary; you inherit “risk genes.” However, there is currently no benefit in testing for these genes because the results don’t change prevention or treatment recommendations. Your children are at moderately increased risk of AMD and should adhere to the anti-AMD lifestyle mentioned above, but AREDS2 vitamins are only recommended for patients who have developed AMD.

Does Macular Degeneration Necessarily Lead to Blindness?

Not everyone with early AMD will develop advanced AMD, and those who develop an advanced form of the disease do not develop total blindness. However, the loss of central vision can significantly interfere with everyday activities, such as driving or reading. Learn more about current treatments for macular degeneration and BrightFocus Foundation’s research to find a cure.

How Quickly does AMD Progress?

The disease can progress slowly or quickly. How quickly AMD progresses can depend on a number of factors, including whether a person develops the wet or dry form of AMD. See more facts about AMD.

Author: Joshua Dunaief, MD, PhD, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania