Eyesight is a key component to our quality of life, ability to remain independent and to safely navigate things like medications, driving and day-to-day mobility. As a person ages, changes to vision are a natural part of the process; however, research and treatment options offer a bright future.
According to Eye Care America, one in four people over 65 has at least early signs of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and it is the leading cause of blindness for older adults in the world. AMD is caused by abnormal blood vessel growth behind the retina or a breakdown of the light-sensitive cells within the retina. Vision is gradually or rapidly destroyed, making it very difficult to see objects clearly, read and drive. Risk factors for AMD are age, genetic markers and smoking, but researchers have made a connection with our lifestyle habits as well.
The Mayo Clinic emphasizes the importance of early detection. If you have difficulty reading or doing other activities that require fine vision, experience distortion, a condition in which straight lines appear wavy or bent, have problems with distinguishing faces or dark patches or see empty spaces appearing in the center of your vision, you should immediately seek help from a medical eye specialist (ophthalmologist).
People destined to develop macular degeneration can sometimes be treated before symptoms appear, and this may reduce the severity of the disease and therefore reduce the degree of vision loss. Do you remember your mom saying to eat your carrots because you would have better vision? Well, it turns out she was right. Vitamins C, E, zinc oxide and beta-carotene are all essential to healthy vision. Going to your eye doctor and reporting the changes is an important first step. Better treatments for macular degeneration are continually being researched, and these include medications, surgical techniques and better low-vision aids.
There are treatment options available that you can discuss with your doctor to see if they are appropriate for your circumstance:
Treatments include:
Laser Surgery: A laser destroys the fragile, leaky blood vessels.
Photodynamic Therapy: A drug called verteporfin is injected into the arm. It sticks to the surface of new blood vessels. Next, a light is shined into the eye for about 90 seconds. The light activates the drug to destroy the new blood vessels.
Injections: Drugs are injected into the eye (anti-VEGF therapy) to block the development of a growth factor that causes the new abnormal blood vessels. Multiple injections are needed, and before each injection, the eye is numbed.
Written by Amy Natt, MS, CMC, CSA