Age-related Macular Degeneration

• What is the most common cause of severe loss of eyesight among people 50 and older?

  Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
• How does age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affect vision?

  It affects the central vision and the ability to see fine details
• What part of the retina is damaged in AMD?

  The macula
• What abilities may be lost in advanced stages of AMD?

  The ability to drive, see faces, and read smaller print
• What are the early signs of AMD?

  AMD may have no signs or symptoms in its early stages
• What might happen if AMD worsens?

  You might struggle to see anything in the middle of your vision
• What activities can AMD make difficult?

  Reading, watching TV, driving, or recognizing faces
• What are some other symptoms of AMD?

  Seeing straight lines as wavy, objects looking smaller, colors seeming less bright, and hallucinations
• Is AMD painful or does it affect the appearance of the eyes?

  No, AMD is not painful and does not affect the appearance of the eyes
• What are some factors linked to the cause of AMD?

  Smoking, high blood pressure, being overweight, and having a family history of AMD
• Who diagnoses AMD?

  An optometrist
• What tools do optometrists use to check for AMD?

  A magnifying glass with a light
• What might optometrists do to help spot problems in the eyes?

  Put drops in your eyes to make vision blurry
• When might you be referred to an ophthalmologist?

  If there's a possibility you'll need to start treatment quickly
• What is dry AMD caused by?

  A build-up of a fatty substance called drusen at the back of the eyes
• How does dry AMD progress?

  It gets worse gradually, usually over several years
• Is there treatment for dry AMD?

  No treatment unless it develops into wet AMD
• What causes wet AMD?

  The growth of abnormal blood vessels at the back of the eyes
• How does wet AMD progress compared to dry AMD?

  Wet AMD can get worse quickly, sometimes in days or weeks
• What treatments are available for wet AMD?

  Regular eye injections and occasionally photodynamic therapy
• What are anti-VEGF medicines used for in AMD treatment?

  To stop vision from getting worse and improve vision in some people
• How effective are eye injections for AMD?

  They stop vision getting worse in 9 out of 10 people and improve vision in 3 out of 10 people
• How often are eye injections usually given?

  Every 1, 2, or 3 months for as long as necessary
• What is done to numb the eyes before treatment?

  Drops are used to numb the eyes
• What are some side effects of eye injections?

  Bleeding in the eye, feeling like there's something in the eye, and redness and irritation
• What is photodynamic therapy (PDT) used for?

  To destroy the abnormal blood vessels that cause wet AMD
• How often may photodynamic therapy need to be repeated?

  Usually every few months
• What are some side effects of photodynamic therapy?

  Temporary vision problems and sensitivity to light for a few days or weeks