Macular degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) will cause you to lose central vision. The macula is the central region of the retina, thanks to which we are able to distinguish shapes and colors. The patient with AMD will see the images distorted, making it difficult to recognize faces or read them. However, peripheral (side) vision will remain more or less unchanged.

AMD is one of the main causes of vision loss in people over 55 years of age in our environment.

AMD is mainly classified into 2 types according to the damage it causes to the eye: dry AMD and wet AMD.

Dry AMD

This type is quite common. About 80% of people with AMD have the dry type of degeneration. Dry AMD ranges from the earliest stages of the disease, when it can go unnoticed, to a highly disabling advanced form called geographic atrophy (a large spot in the center of the visual field that prevents detailed vision of shapes and colors). Progression from early forms occurs slowly in the case of dry AMD.

Wet AMD

Wet AMD is less common than dry AMD, but is often much more disabling. In addition, its progression is faster. It is usually the consequence of the evolution of an early dry form. In itself, it is due to the growth of vascular tissue under the retina. This tissue favors the accumulation of blood or other fluids in or under the retina, later causing a scar in the macula. Vision is lost faster with wet AMD than with dry AMD.

Many people do not realize they have AMD until their vision has become very blurry. This is why it is so important to visit an ophthalmologist regularly. The ophthalmologist can look for early signs of AMD before you have vision problems. If you also have a history of macular degeneration in your family, it is advisable to make a regular visit to the ophthalmological clinic.

Dry AMD

This type is quite common. About 80% of people with AMD have the dry type of degeneration. Dry AMD ranges from the earliest stages of the disease, when it can go unnoticed, to a highly disabling advanced form called geographic atrophy (a large spot in the center of the visual field that prevents detailed vision of shapes and colors). Progression from early forms occurs slowly in the case of dry AMD.

Wet AMD

Wet AMD is less common than dry AMD, but is often much more disabling. In addition, its progression is faster. It is usually the consequence of the evolution of an early dry form. In itself, it is due to the growth of vascular tissue under the retina. This tissue favors the accumulation of blood or other fluids in or under the retina, later causing a scar in the macula. Vision is lost faster with wet AMD than with dry AMD.

Many people do not realize they have AMD until their vision has become very blurry. This is why it is so important to visit an ophthalmologist regularly. The ophthalmologist can look for early signs of AMD before you have vision problems. If you also have a history of macular degeneration in your family, it is advisable to make a regular visit to the ophthalmological clinic.

What are the risk factors for suffering from AMD?

Age over 50 years and:

  • Smoker
  • Overweight
  • Diet rich in saturated fats (red meat or non-skimmed dairy products)
  • Diet poor in fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts or oily fish
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • High cholesterol and triglyceride levels
  • If you have a family history of AMD
  • If you have a history of heart disease

What is the treatment of macular degeneration?

Preventing the progression of early forms of macular degeneration (AMD) is the basis of all treatment. To learn more about this, continue reading my tips for preventing advanced AMD. Additionally, I will show you strategies for self-exploration at home.

If the AMD is advanced wet type, its management requires a treatment that consists of applying the medication directly to the eye through an intravitreal injection. If that were your case, it could be done on the same day as your consultation visit at Hospiten Lanzarote. This way of proceeding is what is called a single act and is supported by the good clinical practice guidelines of the different scientific societies, as an effective measure for the prevention of blindness associated with macular degeneration.

What are the risk factors for suffering from AMD?

Age over 50 years and:

  • Smoker
  • Overweight
  • Diet rich in saturated fats (red meat or non-skimmed dairy products)
  • Diet poor in fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts or oily fish
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • High cholesterol and triglyceride levels
  • If you have a family history of AMD
  • If you have a history of heart disease

What is the treatment of macular degeneration?

Preventing the progression of early forms of macular degeneration (AMD) is the basis of all treatment. To learn more about this, continue reading my tips for preventing advanced AMD. Additionally, I will show you strategies for self-exploration at home.

If the AMD is advanced wet type, its management requires a treatment that consists of applying the medication directly to the eye through an intravitreal injection. If that were your case, it could be done on the same day as your consultation visit at Hospiten Lanzarote. This way of proceeding is what is called a single act and is supported by the good clinical practice guidelines of the different scientific societies, as an effective measure for the prevention of blindness associated with macular degeneration.