ARMD - Age-Related Macular Degeneration

ARMD – Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Symptoms

1. A dark or empty area (blind spot) appears in the center vision

2. Visual distortion, such as straight lines appearing wavy.

3. Changes in color perception; colors seem less vivid.

About ARMD

Age-related macular degeneration, also known as ARMD, is an eye disease that affects the macula, the central part of the retina that controls the fine details and color of our straight-ahead vision. It is the leading cause of vision loss in older adults. ARMD does not cause total blindness; however, losing central vision can make it difficult to see faces and doing common tasks such as driving, reading, and cooking.

Types of ARMD

Dry: This is the most common form of ARMD. It develops when tiny yellow protein deposits (drusen) accumulate underneath the macula. These cellular waste products dry and thin the macula, causing central vision loss. Early stages of dry ARMD may not cause symptoms right away; vision changes tend to occur gradually. While there is no treatment for dry ARMD, studies have shown that taking AREDS vitamins (combination for vitamin C, E, lutein, zinc, copper, zeaxanthin, and beta carotene) can slow the progression of the disease. Eating healthy food such as green leafy vegetables, fruits, and fish also can be beneficial to people with ARMD.


Wet: This is the more severe form of ARMD that can cause vision to deteriorate rapidly. This happens when abnormal blood vessels start to grow beneath the retina and macula. These vessels are fragile, causing fluid leakage and bleeding which leads to vision loss and distortion. The current standard treatment of wet ARMD is Anti-VEGF injection. Anti-VEGF is a medication drug that blocks the development of new blood vessels and slows the leakage from abnormal blood vessels in the eye.


Our doctors are trained to look for early signs for ARMD before vision problems occur. It is important to have regular eye exams to help protect your vision.

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