The Stats

ARMD is the leading cause of vision loss in people 60 years of age and older.

What is ARMD?

ARMD is a chronic, progressive degeneration of the macula. The macula is the central part of the retina that provides central, detailed vision. And thus, ARMD can ultimately cause central vision loss, leading to a reduction in vision for driving, watching television, or reading. Symptoms include central distortions, wavy lines, and blurriness. People often report straight lines appear crooked, or letters appear distorted.

There are two forms of ARMD: dry and wet. The dry form is usually very slowly progressive and causes significant central vision loss in 20% of people who have the diagnosis. The wet form is more aggressive and even more serious. If left untreated, 80% of people with the diagnosis will experience significant central vision loss. It is important to note that the dry form may convert to the more serious wet form.

Risk Factors

The cause of ARMD is not known, but there are several risk factors to consider. The following risk factors are controllable: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, and unprotected sun exposure. The following risk factors are not controllable: advanced age (over 60), family history, gender (women more likely than men), and race (most common in Caucasians).

Treatment

Treatment options depend on the type and stage of ARMD. None of these treatment options cure ARMD, and the disease may cause further vision loss despite treatment.

Dry ARMD

Studies show that there is no effective treatment for early dry ARMD, but fortunately vision loss is least likely in this stage. However, if it reaches the intermediate stage, there is evidence to show that taking high-dose supplements (eye vitamins) that contain zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin, and other anti-oxidants can reduce one’s risk for ARMD progressing to the advanced stage, where most vision loss occurs.

 

 

Wet ARMD

Wet ARMD requires immediate treatment that may involve injections, laser surgery, or photodynamic therapy.

  • Injections

  • This relatively new treatment involves injecting a drug into the eye to block the growth of the leaking, abnormal new blood vessels that cause vision loss. This treatment can slow vision loss, and even improve sight in some cases.

  • Laser Surgery

  • This procedure involves using a laser to destroy leaking blood vessels. However, it may also destroy some surrounding healthy tissue and cause more vision loss. After laser surgery, the risk of new blood vessel growth is high, so multiple treatments may be necessary. This treatment is becoming less and less common as time goes on.

  • Photodynamic Therapy

  • This treatment involves injecting a drug into the arm, allowing the drug to travel through the body to collect in the abnormal new blood vessels in the eye. A light is then shined into the eye to activate the drug, which then destroys the new blood vessels and slows vision loss. Fortunately, no surrounding healthy tissue is damaged. Results are usually temporary and treatment may need to be repeated.

Prevention

The earlier ARMD is detected at any stage, the earlier treatment can start, and the better the prognosis is to save vision. An annual dilated eye exam can detect early macular changes and the patient can be educated on their risk factors. Appropriate steps can then be taken to reduce the risk of future vision loss.