Several factors can pose a threat to the quality of our vision and overall ocular health. An injury from a foreign object, not wearing corrective lenses or misusing contact lenses can have lasting impacts on our vision, and so too can eye diseases.
Macular degeneration is a progressive eye disease that, over time, damages the quality of central vision. It’s categorized into two main types, both with different trajectories.
Dry macular degeneration is the most common and progresses slowly. It’s broken into three distinct stages: early, intermediate, and late, and can take years to progress from one stage to the next.
Meanwhile, its wet form is much more severe and develops suddenly. Without proper management and timely intervention, central vision damage can occur rapidly.
Understanding Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is a chronic, progressive eye disease that affects the macula, a structure in the retina responsible for sharp, clear vision. Over time, this condition gradually damages the macula, compromising visual clarity and quality, thereby affecting our ability to read, drive, or recognize faces.
A healthy eye features a properly functioning macula. It processes light and sends sharp image signals to the brain. Meanwhile, layers of the retina work together seamlessly, providing a steady blood supply and removing waste byproducts.
However, these harmonious processes deteriorate in a person with macular degeneration:
- Waste materials may accumulate under the retina.
- The retina can become thinner.
- Blood vessels may leak or grow abnormally, particularly in more severe forms.
People with AMD may notice changes in their central vision at first while peripheral vision usually remains intact. As the macula deteriorates, finely detailed visual tasks, like reading, identifying small objects, or recognizing faces, become more challenging.
Common symptoms of macular degeneration can include:
- Difficulty reading or adapting to low light.
- Blurry or distorted central vision.
- Increased sensitivity to glare.
- Slow vision recovery after bright light exposure.
- A growing fuzzy or blank spot in the center of your vision.
Dry vs Wet AMD
Distinguishing between AMD’s two forms helps understand how the condition progresses. Each type affects the eyes in unique ways and requires different management approaches.
Dry Macular Degeneration
This is the most common form of AMD, making up about 80% of cases.
Dry macular degeneration occurs when the macula thins with age, gradually breaking down light-sensitive cells. It’s often characterized by the formation of drusen, which are yellow deposits that form under the retina.
Wet Macular Degeneration
On the other hand, wet AMD is less common but far more severe.
It develops when abnormal blood vessels grow underneath the retina. These vessels are fragile and can leak fluid or blood, causing sudden and significant damage to central vision.
The Progression of AMD
The key difference between the two forms of AMD lies in the rate of progression and severity of vision loss. Wet AMD poses a much greater threat of rapid vision deterioration compared to the slower progression of Dry AMD.
Familiarizing yourself with the progression of AMD underscores why early detection and timely intervention are necessary for preserving vision. Regardless of its form, AMD ultimately damages central vision.
Progression of Dry AMD
Dry AMD gradually and slowly progresses through three distinct stages. It can take years or decades to progress from one stage to the next, though this rate varies from person to person.
- Early stage: Small drusen deposits begin forming under the retina, but patients don’t experience symptoms.
- Intermediate stage: Vision may become blurry and larger drusen deposits appear.
- Late stage: Retinal damage becomes significant, leading to noticeable central vision loss.
Ultimately, patients experience symptoms associated with AMD in its intermediate and late stages.
Progression of Wet AMD
Unlike its dry counterpart, wet AMD has a faster and more aggressive progression, which explains why it doesn’t advance in stages.
Wet AMD can cause sudden and severe vision damage almost immediately after onset because of how this condition develops:
- Abnormal blood vessels develop quickly under the retina.
- Leakage of blood or fluid causes rapid damage to the macula.
- Sudden and severe vision loss can occur within weeks or months if untreated.
Wet AMD always begins as dry AMD, and cannot be reversed back to its dry form. Though, it’s possible to have late-stage dry AMD that doesn’t develop into wet AMD.
Therefore, instead of identifying the stages of wet AMD, we focus on its acute and severe impact on central vision.
Managing AMD
Currently, there is no definitive cure for AMD, but there are treatments available that can slow its progression. Due to their distinct development, dry and wet AMD are managed differently.
Managing dry AMD is generally done through lifestyle changes to help slow its progression:
- Nutritional supplements: The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) suggests that vitamins like zinc, lutein, and vitamin C may reduce AMD advancement.
- Healthy habits: Quitting smoking, eating nutrient-rich foods, managing cholesterol levels, and regular monitoring with your optometrist help facilitate healthier outcomes.
Because of wet AMD’s sudden onset and severity, treatments for managing this condition are more advanced since immediate intervention is necessary to help preserve vision:
- Anti-VEGF therapy: Medications such as Avastin or Eylea are injected into the eye to block the growth of new, abnormal blood vessels.
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT): A drug is activated by light to reduce abnormal blood vessels in the retina.
- Laser surgery: Laser procedures can destroy abnormal blood vessels, though they are less commonly used.
Schedule a Visit
Conditions like AMD pose a threat to our vision if left unmanaged. Fortunately, there are ways to slow its progression.
Routine eye exams play a key role in preserving ocular health, as they can detect potential concerns early. These exams allow optometrists to monitor visual changes and identify signs of underlying conditions, like AMD for timely intervention.
Connect with our team at Precision Eye Care to schedule an appointment for your routine eye exam and take a proactive step to protect your vision.
