Dry macular degeneration
This is a slow process that usually progresses over time without predicting its deterioration. Regular intake of vitamins for the retina is recommended and has been shown to reduce progression in the long term. Omega 3 acid (DHA), lutein and zeaxanthin are of special importance. They are found in various foods, especially fish, but there are also tablet preparations that can be found in pharmacies.
Wet macular degeneration
It is a more aggressive version of the disease in which a more sudden loss of central vision is seen. It occurs due to a break in the barrier that keeps the retina dry and edema or bleeding occurs in the central retina. A quick diagnosis is important since it can be treated with an injection of medication into the eye that tends to “dry the retina”.
Recommendations for the treatment of macular degeneration
- The intake of vitamins is recommended first.
- Review every 6 months for risk cases.
- Self-exploration through the Amsler Grid test. Check covering one eye first, and then the other to verify that the lines of this table are visible.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What are the most common causes of AMD?
Although there are many causes, there is a genetic predisposition that worsens with age and with risk factors such as tobacco or poor diet.
What are the most common symptoms of AMD?
The most frequent symptom of macular degeneration is the alteration of the central vision manifested as vision of twisted or blurred objects.
Is AMD Hereditary?
Although macular degeneration has a high hereditary component, the patient’s lifestyle habits also influence. Therefore, it is important to advise on the intake of vitamins and antioxidants, as well as the reduction of smoking.
At what age does AMD develop?
Generally, AMD affects people over 60, although there are variants of greater or less aggressiveness.
What effects does AMD have?
By compromising central vision, people suffering from AMD will have the sensation that they see blurry, they will lose close focus, they will lose visual acuity and they will have limitations in the ability to differentiate colors.
What is the best treatment for AMD?
Although there are no medications or treatments that prevent macular degeneration, it is advisable to lead a healthy lifestyle when suffering from dry AMD and treatment with anti angiogenics in wet AMD.
Is AMD common in young patients?
Since the initials AMD refer to Age-related Macular Degeneration, it is not common for it to occur in patients younger than 50 years, but there are other types of macular degeneration that occur in young patients.
What type of AMD is most harmful?
We should not refer to the damage but to the aggressiveness of the AMD. In this case, wet AMD is more aggressive since there is a more sudden and rapid loss of vision than in dry, which has a slower process. However, in both cases central vision can be lost.
Is AMD irreversible?
In the case of AMD, progress can be slowed down with the appropriate treatments, and there are cases in which visual acuity improves after treatment, but in practically no case can vision already lost be recovered perfectly.
What is the most common treatment for wet AMD?
In recent years, there has been a great advance in terms of treatment for wet AMD, which includes the application of antiangiogenic drugs, which act on the retina reducing damage. The effect of the treatment must be observed to assess its repetition.
