There are three stages of AMD. In the early stage there are indications of a problem, but no loss of vision. The Intermediate stage or Dry stage shows mild vision loss, but most people don’t experience too many problems. About 85-90% of patients who develop macular degeneration develop the dry form. Late stage AMD or wet macular degeneration is where vision loss occurs. AMD can result in the loss of your central vision, but people rarely go blind from it. The best way to treat wet macular degeneration is to prevent the disease before it happens. This can be done with injections, laser procedures, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If caught late, these treatment options will help manage the side effects of wet macular degeneration.
There is currently no treatment for dry macular degeneration, but if your condition is diagnosed early you can take steps to help slow the progression such as taking vitamin supplements, eating well and not smoking.
How we test for Macular Degeneration
We put drops in your eyes to dilate them and use a special instrument to examine the back of your eye. The doctor looks for a mottled appearance that’s caused by drusen — yellow deposits that form under the retina.
The doctor may also use an Amsler grid to test for defects in the center of your vision. Macular degeneration may cause some of the straight lines in the grid to look faded, broken or distorted.
If it is warranted the doctor may perform a Fluorescein or Indocyanine angiography. During this test, the doctor injects a dye into a vein in your arm. The dye travels to and highlights the blood vessels in your eye. A special camera takes several pictures as the dye travels through the blood vessels. The images will show if you have retinal changes or abnormal blood vessels, which are a sign of wet macular degeneration.
Ways to improve your eyesight
Live a health lifestyle, quit smoking, eat a healthy low-fat diet and keep your weight, cholesterol and blood-pressure down. It’s also a good idea to wear sunglasses when you are outside, and consider wearing blue-blocking glasses when you are using a computer for long periods of time.