age related macular degeneration 15

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD): A Comprehensive Overview

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a complex eye condition that affects the central vision, leading to significant visual impairment in older adults. Here's a detailed breakdown of AMD:

• Definition: AMD is a disease that damages the macula, a small part of the retina responsible for central vision.
• Types: There are two primary types of AMD: dry (atrophic) and wet (exudative). Dry AMD is characterized by a gradual deterioration of the macula, while wet AMD involves the growth of abnormal blood vessels under the retina.

Symptoms

• Blurred Vision: The most common symptom of dry AMD is blurred vision, which can be caused by distorted or dim central vision.
• Color Perception: Colors may appear faded or less vibrant due to the damage to the macula.
• Central Vision Loss: As AMD progresses, central vision loss can occur, making it difficult to perform daily tasks that require sharp vision.

Causes and Risk Factors

• Age: AMD is a age-related condition, typically affecting individuals over 50 years old.
• Genetics: A family history of AMD may increase the risk of developing the condition.
• Smoking: Smoking has been linked to an increased risk of AMD.
• Diet: A diet rich in fruits and vegetables, particularly those high in antioxidants (e.g., leafy greens, berries), may help reduce the risk of AMD.

References

• [1] Age-related macular degeneration is a disease that affects a person's central vision. AMD can result in severe loss of central vision, ...
• [2] Oct 1, 2024 — Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a problem with your retina. It happens when a part of the retina called the macula is damaged.
• [3] Macular degeneration is primarily an age-related retinal condition. There are two types of macular degeneration — wet and dry. You may lose central vision, ...
• [4] The most common symptom of dry AMD is blurred vision. Objects in the center part of your vision often look distorted and dim, and colors look faded. You may ...
• [5] Sep 11, 2024 — Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye condition causing central vision loss, mostly affecting those older than 50.
• [6] Oct 12, 2024 — Macular degeneration, or age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is a leading cause of vision loss in Americans 60 and older.
• [7] Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is an acquired degeneration of the retina that causes significant central visual impairment through a combination of ...
• [8] Dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a gradual deterioration of the macula as the retinal cells die off and are not renewed. Wet age-related macular ...
• [9] Age-related macular degeneration is a chronic but painless disease. It affects a special layer of cells in the eye called the retinal pigment epithelium, ...
• [10] Result: noun | macular degeneration that is age-related

Early Signs and Symptoms of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition that affects the central vision, making it difficult to see objects and fine details clearly. The early signs and symptoms of AMD can be subtle and may not always be noticeable at first. However, as the disease progresses, more pronounced symptoms may develop.

Common Early Signs and Symptoms:

• Loss of Central Vision: A person may notice that when they're reading, words may be missing in the middle or appear blurry [6].
• Gaps or Dark Spots: Gaps or dark spots (like a smudge on glasses) may appear in your vision, especially first thing in the morning [7].
• Fading Colors: Colours can fade, making it difficult to distinguish between different shades and hues [7].
• Blurriness: Mild blurriness in central vision or trouble seeing in low lighting may be experienced by some individuals [2].

Other Possible Symptoms:

• Diminished Vision: A person's overall vision may become dimmer, making it harder to see objects and details clearly [8].
• Nonspecific Symptoms: Eye pain, hazy or clouded vision, and vision impairment can also be symptoms of AMD [8].

It is essential to note that some people with AMD may not experience any noticeable symptoms in the early stages. However, as the disease progresses, more pronounced symptoms will develop.

References:

[1] Context result 6 [2] Context result 2 [3] Context result 7 [4] Context result 8

Diagnostic Tests for Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can be diagnosed using various tests and exams. Here are some of the common diagnostic tests used to detect AMD:

• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): This non-invasive test creates cross-sectional images of the retina, allowing doctors to examine the different layers and thicknesses of the retina [5]. OCT is a useful tool for detecting changes in the retina associated with AMD.
• Eye Angiogram: This test helps identify abnormal blood vessels growing beneath the macula, which can be a sign of wet AMD [3].
• Visual Acuity Test: A common eye chart test that measures vision ability at various distances. Pupil dilation may also be performed to allow a more thorough examination of the retina [13].
• Genetic Testing: For young onset macular degeneration, genetic testing can help identify genetic mutations associated with AMD [4].
• Macular Degeneration Tests and Exams: These tests include OCT scans, eye angiograms, and visual acuity tests to diagnose macular degeneration. It's recommended to get tested around age 40 [11].

These diagnostic tests are used in combination with a complete medical history and eye exam to confirm a diagnosis of AMD. Early detection is crucial for effective management and treatment of the condition.

References:

[1] Context result 1 [3] Context result 3 [4] Context result 4 [5] Context result 5 [11] Context result 11 [13] Context result 13

Treatment Options for Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition that affects the macula, the part of the retina responsible for central vision. While there is no cure for AMD, various treatment options are available to slow or stop its progression and improve vision.

Medications

Several medications have been approved to treat wet AMD, which is characterized by abnormal blood vessel growth under the retina:

• Anti-VEGF agents: These injections block the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a protein that promotes blood vessel growth. Examples include:
  • Aflibercept (Eylea)
  • Ranibizumab (Lucentis)
  • Bevacizumab (Avastin)
  • Brolucizumab (Beovu)
  • Faricimab-svoa (Vabysmo) [5]
• Photodynamic therapy: This two-step treatment uses a light-sensitive drug to damage abnormal blood vessels under the retina. [6]

Other Treatment Options

In addition to medications, other treatment options for wet AMD include:

• Laser surgery: This procedure uses laser beams to destroy abnormal blood vessels under the retina.
• Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove scar tissue or repair retinal tears.

Note on Dry AMD

While there is no cure for dry AMD, researchers are exploring new treatment options. For example, Syfovre has been approved in the US as a treatment for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). [9]

Common Medications Used to Treat AMD

According to various sources, the following medications are commonly used to treat AMD:

• Bevacizumab (Avastin)
• Ranibizumab (Lucentis)
• Aflibercept (Eylea)
• Brolucizumab (Beovu)
• Faricimab-svoa (Vabysmo)

References

[1] Context 1: May 23, 2024 — These drugs — including aflibercept (Eylea), ranibizumab (Lucentis), faricimab (Vabysmo) and bevacizumab (Avastin) — stabilize or improve vision ...

[2] Context 2: Sep 18, 2023 — Wet AMD is most commonly treated with injections of angiogenesis inhibitors into the eye, photodynamic therapy (PDT), or laser surgery, which ...

[3] Context 3: Feb 20, 2024 — Treatment options for Wet AMD include brolucizumab-dbll (Beovu), aflibercept (Eylea and Eylea HD), ranibizumab (Lucentis), faricimab-svoa ( ...

[4] Context 4: Feb 21, 2023 — Medications · Bevacizumab (Avastin). · Ranibizumab (Lucentis). · Aflibercept (Eylea). · Brolucizumab (Beovu). · Faricimab-svoa (Vabysmo).

[5] Context 5: Vabysmo (Faricimab) is the most recently approved medication for treatment of wet AMD. It is the first dual action drug and tackles two biological pathways ...

[6] Context 6: Sep 27, 2022 — Photodynamic therapy. It's a two-step treatment for wet AMD that uses a light-sensitive drug to damage your abnormal blood vessels. Your doctor ...

[7] Context 7: The main treatment for wet AMD is the injection of medications called anti-VEGF agents. VEGF stands for vascular endothelial growth factor. A high level of VEGF ...

[8] Context 8: There are drugs that treat but don't cure wet AMD. They include anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections.

[9] Context 9: Syfovre has been approved in the US as a treatment for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Differential Diagnosis of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a complex disease with various differential diagnoses, depending on the presence or absence of choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Here are some key points to consider:

• Non-exudative vs. Exudative AMD: The differential diagnosis varies greatly depending on whether CNV is present or not. Non-exudative AMD includes conditions such as:
  • Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC)
  • Pattern dystrophy
  • North Carolina macular dystrophy
• Exudative AMD: This type of AMD primarily affects the macula and is characterized by CNV, which can be caused by various factors, including:
  • Wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
  • Other potential causes of CNV, such as choroidal melanoma or central serous chorioretinopathy
• Other Differential Diagnoses: In addition to the above-mentioned conditions, other differential diagnoses for AMD include:
  • Angioid streaks
  • Central retinal artery occlusion
  • Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to other causes

References:

• [10] Organizing the differential diagnosis into "non-exudative" vs. "exudative" ARMD is useful.
• [11] Wet AMD primarily affects the macula and is the most common cause of central visual impairment and blindness among older individuals in developed countries.
• [12] The DeepDrAMD represents a significant advancement in AMD detection and differential diagnosis using CFPs.

Note: These points are based on information from search results 10, 11, 12, and other relevant sources.