How long does it take to go blind with macular degeneration?
Macular degeneration usually occurs in people over the age of 50, but can begin to develop as young as 40. It typically manifests with only mild symptoms, such as slight blurriness or vision distortion. The symptoms of macular degeneration will get worse over time, and s one of the leading causes of blindness and vision impairment. This is why it is extremely important to have an eye exam as soon as you notice anything even slightly wrong with your vision.
What is macular degeneration?
Macular degeneration happens over time as we age. The macular is essentially the center most part of the eye internally. This is the center of the retina. As the degeneration occurs, one will commonly notice slight blurriness or vision distortion, and this will progressively gets worse. These symptoms are typically only mild to begin with. However, this does not happen to everyone.
There are actually two types of macular degeneration, dry and wet. Dry macular degeneration is the most common type of this condition. Although there are currently no viable treatment options for dry macular degeneration, the condition is typically very slow to progress. Visual aids and certain vitamin therapies may be able to reduce some of the symptoms and preserve as much central vision as possible for some patients.
Dry macular degeneration:
Dry macular degeneration occurs when the light-sensitive cells in the macula slowly break down, gradually blurring central vision in the affected eye. As dry macular degeneration gets worse, you may see a blurred spot in the center of your vision. Over time, as less of the macula functions, central vision in the affected eye can be lost.
Dry macular degeneration has three stages — early dry macular degeneration, intermediate dry macular degeneration, and advanced dry macular degeneration. All of these may occur in one or both eyes.
People with early dry macular degeneration have either several small drusen or a few medium sized drusen. Drusen are yellow deposits under the retina, which often are found in people over age 50. People with early dry macular degeneration have no symptoms and no vision loss.
If you have intermediate dry macular degeneration you may have either many medium-sized drusen or one or more large drusen. You may also see a blurred spot in the center of their vision, or need more light for reading and other tasks. In addition to drusen, people with advanced dry macular degeneration have a breakdown of light-sensitive cells and supporting tissue in the macula. This breakdown can cause a blurred spot in the center of your vision.
Over time, the blurred spot may get bigger and darker, taking more of your central vision. You may have difficulty reading or recognizing the faces of other people until they are very close to you.
Wet macular degeneration:
Wet (neovascular) macular degeneration is the most serious type. It can develop and progress extraordinarily fast. Caused by the abnormal formation of blood vessels and subsequent leakage of blood or fluid between the layers of the retina, Wet macular degeneration occurs when those abnormal blood vessels behind the retina start to grow under the macula. With wet macular degeneration, loss of central vision can occur quickly and can result in permanent tissue damage.
Central vision loss and reduction in the ability to see fine details can be effects of wet macular degeneration. If wet macular degeneration occurs in one eye, the risk of it affecting the other eye is increased. There are some treatments available that can slow vision loss and even improve eyesight for patients affected by wet macular degeneration; however, early diagnosis is vital.
Can the dry form of macular degeneration turn into the wet form?
Yes. All people who have the wet form first had the dry form of macular degeneration. The dry form can advance and cause vision loss without turning into the wet form. The dry form also can suddenly turn into the wet form, even during the early stages of macular degeneration. There is no way to tell if or when the dry form will turn into the wet form.
Are some people more at risk to get macular degeneration?
Macular degeneration is also referred to as age related macular degeneration or AMD or ARMD. This is because the condition by and large comes on as we age, commonly seen in middle age and elderly patients. The risk for macular degeneration does increase with age. Other risk factors include:
Smokers
Overweight
Race- more commonly seen in Caucasians
Genetics- a family history of the disease
Gender- females are more likely than males
High Blood Pressure
How is dry AMD treated?
Once dry AMD reaches the advanced stage, there is no treatment that will cure the dry AMD. At Perich Eye Center, we can prescribe treatment that can delay and possibly prevent intermediate AMD from progressing to the advanced stage, in which vision loss occurs.
How is wet AMD treated?
Here at Perich Eye Center, we can treat wet AMD with laser surgery, photodynamic therapy, and painless injection of medication into the eye. We want to be clear that while these treatments can slow the progression of wet AMD can not be completely cured. Loss of vision may progress despite treatment.
What can I do to protect my vision?
To protect your vision, we recommend that you have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year, so that we can monitor your condition and check for other signs of eye disease. During your visit, it is also possible that we will advise that you take the AREDS supplementation.
During an eye exam, we may ask you to look at an Amsler grid. This is an eye test that involves covering one eye and staring at a black dot in the center of a lined grid. Signs that are indicative of AMD include seeing some of the lines in the grid as missing and the pattern in the grid appearing wavy.
It is important to know that Dry AMD can become Wet AMD. This is why we at Perich Eye Center recommend you schedule an appointment to come see us for testing in person.
Lifestyle changes can help make a difference in not just your overall health but in protecting your vision as well. Here are some tips we recommend to help reduce your risk of developing AMD:
Refrain from smoking. If you are a current smoker, we recommend that you get the support you need to help you quit
Eat a healthy diet full of greens, vegetables, fruits and fresh fish - Avoid red meat and pork
Exercise, do yoga, and meditate
Maintain a healthy weight
Develop good strategies to reduce and deal with stress
Monitor your blood pressure.
Remember, as soon as you notice any chances to your vision, as small as you may talk yourself into thinking they are, you need to contact us here at Perich Eye Center at once. We will get you in right away for a comprehensive dilated eye exam so you can know exactly what is going on with your eyes.
