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Have You Been Diagnosed with Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

Have You Been Diagnosed with Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

Wet AMD

Wet AMD

Experts say 7.3 million people in the United States show signs of age-related macular degeneration, an eye disease that damages central vision. An additional 1.75 million people have lost at least some vision, as illustrated here. The amount of vision loss varies among individuals.

Have you or a loved one or friend been told that you have age related macular degeneration? Hearing this from the eye doctor may have come as a shock. Why do I have it? Can it be treated? Will I lose all of my vision? You are understandably worried and have many more questions about how your life and the lives of those around you might be affected.

It may help you to know that you are not alone. Experts say 7.3 million people in the United States show signs of age-related macular degeneration. An additional 1.75 million people have lost at least some vision.

Because this eye condition is linked so closely with aging (hence the name "age-related"), and such a large number of U.S. citizens are reaching an advanced age, the number of people who are diagnosed will increase. This, of course, is the bad news. The good news is the situation has prompted the medical community, including scientists, the government and private companies, to devote a large amount of resources to understanding this disease.

Why Do I Have It?

The increased research effort has already produced results. While scientists don't completely understand everything about what causes age related macular degeneration, they have identified some of the reasons it might develop. The human aging process is the biggest reason. However, you are also more likely to develop it if you are white, female, have light-colored eyes, high blood pressure, or if you smoke, your diet lacks certain vitamins and minerals or a family member has the disease. It is also important to understand that many people who don't fit into these categories also develop the disease.

Another part of the story is what happens in the eye at a molecular level. All of the body's parts, including the eye, have systems for growing, transporting nutrients, responding to injuries and getting rid of the waste products that come from all of this biological activity. The workers in these systems are different types of molecules, proteins and cells. To keep the body in good working order, they send and receive signals to start and stop the processes they control. When the body ages, and for other reasons still being studied, these systems begin to break down.

Scientists are learning more each day about how and why such breakdowns occur in the eye and lead to age related macular degeneration. The problems have been linked to genetics and the body's immune and inflammatory functions. The first sign of a problem is when waste products, which your doctor may have called "drusen," accumulate underneath the macula, the most light-sensitive part of the eye in the center of the retina. Drusen are a sign of what is known as "dry" macular degeneration. These deposits interfere with the eye's molecular signaling system and can lead to the "wet" form of the disease, which your doctor may have called "exudative" or "neovascular." At this stage, the eye's out-of-balance signaling system causes an overgrowth of blood vessels. Because these new vessels are weak, they tend to leak blood and fluid (hence the term "wet").

Both the dry and wet forms of the disease adversely affect the cells of the macula, although the dry form tends to progress more slowly toward vision damage.

Can It Be Treated?

Currently no treatments are available for dry age-related macular degeneration. However, because scientists have identified more of the key molecules, proteins and cells involved in the overall process, they have discovered treatments for the wet form of the disease. Most of the treatment options can slow its progression or prevent further vision loss. The newest treatments can improve vision in some cases.

Will I Lose My Sight?

Age related macular degeneration rarely causes complete blindness. It spares peripheral vision but creates blind spots in central vision. Central vision allows us to see what is directly in front of us and to make out details. Therefore it is crucial for many tasks, such as recognizing faces, driving and reading. The amount of central vision damage varies among individuals.

What Can I Do to Help Myself?

If you have age-related macular degeneration, you can still live a full life. Many resources are available to help you. (This condition is often searched on the Internet using the phrase "age degeneration macular related wet") Start with your eye doctor. Ask him or her any questions that you have. Follow his or her treatment recommendations. Some of the treatments and their insurance copays are expensive, but you may be eligible for pharmaceutical company or other programs designed to make them more affordable. You may also be eligible to join a clinical trial of treatments under investigation. Your doctor can explain.

Also ask for a list of low vision resources. Low vision resources include your county or state Office on Aging, local Lions Club and a wide array of other eyecare professionals, nonprofit organizations and companies. They provide a wealth of information, including where to go for vision rehabilitation services. If you participate in a vision rehabilitation program, you can learn techniques for maximizing your vision. You can also learn to use devices to help you with everyday tasks from reading and cooking to playing cards, using a computer or watching a live entertainment event.

The most important things you can do are maintain a positive attitude and continue exploring resources until you get everything you need.

Hope for the future? New clinical trials.

NeoVista, Inc. is a company that is developing an intraocular epiretinal radiation device intended for the treatment of the wet form of age-related macular degeneration. If you, or someone you know, are interested in participating in the CABERNET Trial, please follow the link below:

Learn more about the CABERNET Trial

 

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