Eye Disease
6 min read

Macular Degeneration

Published on
December 4, 2023
Related articles

Age-related macular degeneration is a progressive disease of the part of our eye's retina that gives us our detailed vision. The latest research shows that only 8% of Australians are able to correctly identify a symptom of macular degeneration, an alarming statistic considering this eye disease affects one in seven Australians over the age of50. Education is key to early detection and prevention of excessive vision loss as the disease progresses.

If you are interested in knowing more about macular degeneration, contact our friendly staff or book an eye test for macular degeneration diagnostics and management options.

What is macular degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD or AMD) is a progressive eye disease that causes breakdown of the central part of the retina, known as the macula. The macula is responsible for a person’s central vision, colour vision, and fine detailed vision; however, it does not have an effect on your peripheral vision.

A field of view with a black swirl in the centre of the image, to illustrate how vision loss appears in macula degeneration
Figure 1. A simulation of the type of central vision loss that may occur in ARMD

What are the types of Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

Non-Exudative (Dry) AMD

The more common and less advanced of the two types, it affects 85 to 90 percent of people with AMD. Changes typically occur slowly, so individuals with noticeable symptoms would report the gradual dark or blurred spot in their central vision.

Figure 2. Fundus photograph of an eye with Non-exudative Macula Degeneration
Exudative (Wet) AMD
Figure 3. OCT scan of an eye with Exudative Macula degeneration. Visible vascularisation of the avascular zone within the retina is a diagnostic characteristic of "Wet" Macula degeneration.

How is macular degeneration diagnosed?

When your optometrist examines your eyes, they will be able to tell you if you have signs of macular degeneration. Early on this will be in the form of drusen - a build-up of waste material beneath the retina. With time, this drusen may enlarge or atrophy, causing the vision loss associated with dry ARMD.

The technology available at Innovative EyeCare, including retinal photography and OCT scans, are very useful to diagnose and monitor the changes associated with ARMD.

What is the treatment for ARMD?

Dry ARMD Treatment

Treatment options for dry macular degeneration are very limited. Specific anti-oxidant and vitamin supplements based on the AREDS trial (such as Macuvision) have been shown to slow the progression of this form of the disease. Avoidance of smoking and alcohol is also very important. Visit our nutrition page for more information about this. However, about 10 to 15 percent of dry macular degeneration cases progress into wet AMD.

Wet ARMD Treatment

If there is fluid or blood beneath or within the retina, early detection is key to improve the chance of visual recovery. Your optometrist will give you an Amsler grid to take home if you are risk of wet ARMD. This grid should be checked in each eye every day to looks for signs of subtle distortion or loss of vision typical of early wet ARMD. If these changes are noticed, your eyes should be promptly tested by your optometrist for changes at the macula. Given early detection is critical to saving sight, a lack of symptom recognition could risk blindness.

Figure 4. Amsler Grid used to test for the onset of wet ARMD

If wet ARMD is diagnosed by your optometrist, injections from an eye surgeon are often required to decrease the growth of new vessels within the eye. With time, this helps stop the swelling, and in most cases returns the vision to a reasonable level.

What happens after ARMD starts affecting my vision?

ARMD is a common cause of low vision and blindness in older Australians. Fortunately, in most cases it will take many years for ARMD to start causing significant vision loss.

Even with the vision changes associated with ARMD, there are many tools your optometrist can prescribe to allow you to still go about your daily life. This may include optical aids including magnifiers, telescopes, high powered reading glasses and digital equipment to magnify print. Often patients will benefit from help from the Royal Society for the Blind to assist with counselling, lifestyle training, and a range of other services. You will need a referral from your optometrist to become a member of RSB. Ask your optometrist if you have any questions about these aspects of ARMD management.

FAQs

Please browse through some of our most frequently asked questions on this topic.

No items found.
Contact

Related articles

Please browse through our collection of related articles.

View all
Eye Disease
4 min read

Blepharitis

Blepharitis is a common chronic inflammatory condition of the eyelids. It makes your eyelids red, swollen, itchy and irritated. Blepharitis is one of the m
Read more
Eye Disease
4 min read

Pterygium and Pinguecula

Pterygium and pingueculum are variants of the same condition in which the con...
Read more
Eye Disease
6 min read

Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration is a progressive disease of the part of our ...
Read more
Eye Disease
8 min read

Keratoconus

Keratoconus is an eye disease that can cause distorted and blurry vision, eve...
Read more
Eye Disease
6 min read

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a debilitating eye disease that causes progressive optic nerve da...
Read more
Eye Disease
6 min read

Flashes, Floaters, Retinal Tear & Detachment

The appearance of floaters and flashes of light in your vision may be alarmin...
Read more
Eye Disease
4 min read

Diabetes & The Eye

Diabetes is a condition which can affect many systems in the body. It occurs ...
Read more
Eye Disease
5 min read

Corneal Grafts

Corneal grafts are required for clear vision when the cornea is compromised d...
Read more
Eye Disease
4 min read

Cataract

A cataract is a cloudiness of the natural lens of the eye which progresses ov...
Read more
View all

Speak to our friendly team today

Book your appointment now for personalised eye care tailored just for you.

Middle aged man using VR headset

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see what we’ve been up to!

Stay In Sight

Sign up to our newsletter for the latest in eye care, exclusive offers, and a peek into the future of eyewear.

By clicking Sign Up you're confirming that you agree with our Terms and Conditions.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.