Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease that affects the central portion of the retina (macula), responsible for capturing visual details. Its main symptoms are progressive loss of central vision, visual distortion of straight lines, and decreased color clarity.
If not properly treated, macular degeneration can cause irreversible damage to vision and lead to loss of vision and sharpness, but can not cause blindness total.
Macular degeneration usually occurs in people over the age of 50 and is associated with retinal wear. The disease usually affects two eyes, but not at the same time. Often one eye is already at an advanced stage, with significant loss of vision, and the other eye is at an early stage.
There are 2 types of age-related macular degeneration:
- Dry or atrophic macular degeneration: It is the most common and mild form of the disease, being observed in up to 90% of the cases. It is characterized by continuous wear of the retina that causes atrophy or loss of macula cells. Its characteristic symptom is the progressive and slow reduction of central vision.
- Wet or exudative macular degeneration: It accounts for about 10% of cases of age-related macular degeneration. However, this form of AMD causes a more pronounced loss of central vision and may start suddenly. It is characterized by the growth of small blood vessels under the retina, which form a film. These vessels are fragile and cause bleeding and extravasation of fluid into or out of the retina, with a high risk of marked worsening of vision.
Due to the accumulation of these fluids, wet or exudative macular degeneration distortion of images and the patient refers points or dark spots in the visual field.
As the disease progresses, a type of scar tissue forms in the site affected by the vessels, with consequent irreversible loss of visual perception. Blindness alone is not total because this process reaches only the central area of the retina and peripheral vision is preserved.
At the outset, symptoms of macular degeneration are quite discreet and imperceptible. Among the most common are:
- Blurred vision;
- More opaque colors;
- Deleted words;
- Dark or blurry spot in center of view;
- Straight lines distorted, looking wavy;
- Presence of blind spots (dark or white) in the visual field;
There are several factors that can favor the appearance of macular degeneration, such as history of the disease in the family, having clear skin and blue or green eyes, excessive exposure to the sun, high fat diet, smoking, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases.
The diagnosis and treatment of age-related macular degeneration is the responsibility of the physician / ophthalmologist.
Learn more at: Does macular degeneration have a cure? What is the treatment?
