Macular degeneration (MD) is the progressive deterioration of the macula, the light-sensitive cells of the central retina, at the back of the eye. The retina is the sensitive membrane (soft layer) of the eye that receives the image formed by the lens and is connected with the brain by the optic nerve. As these macular cells malfunction and die, central vision becomes gray, hazy, or distorted, and eventually is lost. Peripheral (away from the center) vision is unaffected.
Description
Millions of people suffer from MD and it accounts for about 12% of all blindness in the United States. The macula contains the highest concentration of photosensitive cells in the retina. These cells transform light into electrical signals that are sent to the brain for processing into vision. Fine detail vision and critical color vision are located in the macula. The macula depend on nutrient diffusion from the choroid layer, a region of several delicate vascular (pertaining to blood vessels) membranes or structures behind the retina and under the macula. Anything that interferes with this nutrient supply can lead to MD.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD or ARMD) is by far the most common type of MD. One in six Americans develops AMD between the ages of 55 and 64 and one in three Americans over 75 has AMD. About 10% of those with AMD eventually suffer severe vision loss. The incidence of AMD is expected to triple by 2025, as the population ages. Whites and Asians are more susceptible than blacks. Women and those with lighter-colored eyes are somewhat more susceptible. AMD may occur in only one eye. However there is a very high likelihood that the other eye will be affected eventually.
About 90% of AMD is the dry form. Over time, the macula thins and the pigmented retinal epithelium, a dark-colored cell layer that supports the retina, is gradually lost. About 10% of dry AMD cases progress to the wet form. In a process called choroidal neovascularization (CNV), new blood vessels proliferate in the choroid and may invade the retina. These fragile vessels can leak blood and fluid into the retina, damaging or killing macular cells and resulting in scar tissue that interferes with vision. If untreated, the macula may be destroyed. Wet AMD progresses more rapidly than dry AMD and severe vision loss typically occurs within two years.
Less common forms of MD include:
juvenile macular degeneration (JMD), a group of inherited disorders affecting children and younger adults
cystoid macular degeneration, the development of fluid-filled cysts (sacs) in the macular region, associated with aging, inflammation, or severe myopia (nearsightedness)
retinal pigment epithelial detachment, a rare form of wet MD in which fluid leakage from the choroid causes the detachment or disappearance of the pigmented retinal epithelium
Causes
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) appears to result from a combination of hereditary, environmental, and metabolic factors. Over time, highly reactive free-oxygen radicals damage and destroy macular cells. Free radicals are produced by:
bombardment of light on the macula, particularly long-term exposure to ultraviolet and blue light, including sunlight and sunlamps
smoking, which increases the risk of AMD two- to four-fold
a high-fat diet
The body's antioxidant systems that destroy free radicals become less effective with aging.
Factors that contribute to the hardening and blocking of the capillaries supplying the retina and lead to AMD include:
The cause of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in wet AMD is unknown. However many people with AMD also have cataracts and cataract surgery increases the risk of dry AMD progressing to wet AMD.
Symptoms
AMD is painless, and in the early stages, the brain easily compensates for vision loss, particularly if AMD is restricted to one eye. Symptoms of AMD include:
requiring more light for reading
reduction, blurring, a blank spot, or loss of central vision while peripheral vision is unaffected
difficulty recognizing faces
visual distortions such as the bending of straight lines
images appearing smaller
changes in color perception or abnormal light sensations
a decline of at least two lines in visual acuity as measured on a standard eye chart. For example, 20/20 vision declining to 20/80
phantom visions, called "Charles Bonnet syndrome"
Diagnosis
Although vision loss is irreversible, early detection may halt or slow the progression of dry to wet AMD. However AMD is often fairly advanced by the time an ophthalmologist (a physician specializing in eye defects and diseases) is consulted. Tests for MD include:
An Amsler grid, a checkerboard pattern with a black dot at the center. While staring at the dot with one eye, MD causes the straight lines to appear wavy or disappear or some areas to appear blank.
A dilated eye exam whereby drops are used to dilate the pupils and a special magnifier called an ophthalmoscope shines a very bright light on the back of the lens to examine the retina. Gross macular changes, including scarring, thinning, or atrophy, may indicate MD. Numerous mid-sized yellow bumps called drusen, or one or more large drusen, can indicate intermediate-stage AMD. However, most people over age 42 have drusen in one or both eyes.
Fluorescein or eye angiography, or retinal photography. An indicator dye is injected and photographs are taken to detect dye leakage from retinal blood vessels.
Indocyanine green angiography examines choroid blood vessels that cannot be seen with fluorescein.
Optical coherence tomography. Light waves are used to obtain cross-sectional views of eye tissue. This is easier and quicker than fluorescein angiography.
An electroretinogram, whereby a weak or missing electrical signal from an illuminated point in the macula indicates MD.
In a family history of MD suggesting hereditary juvenile macular degeneration (JMD), molecular genetic screening can reveal the presence of JMD-causing genes, facilitating early detection.
Treatment
Those with dry AMD should have a complete dilated eye examination at least once a year and use an Amsler grid daily to check for signs of wet AMD.
Diet
Dietary factors that can speed the progression from early-stage to advanced MD include:
high fat consumption (70 gm versus 24 gm daily) triples the risk of advancement
trans-fats consumption (4 gm versus 0.5 gm daily) doubles the risk
consumption of commercial baked goods (two or more servings weekly) doubles the risk
Foods containing omega-3 fats, such as nuts and fish, lower the risk of progression to advanced MD.
One study found that those with the highest dietary intake of lutein had a 57% lower risk for AMD. Foods high in lutein and zeaxanthin include:
kale
spinach
mustard greens
collard greens
romaine lettuce
leeks
celery
broccoli (cooked)
peas
corn
zucchini
yellow squash
cucumbers
orange bell peppers
red grapes
mangoes
oranges
Many multi-vitamins also contain lutein.
Other factors for preventing AMD include:
the use of sunglasses with UV protection
maintaining normal blood pressure
avoiding the risk factors, including smoking and secondhand smoke
the use of supplemental estrogen by postmenopausal women is associated with a lower risk for AMD
BOOKS
Age-Related Macular Degeneration. San Francisco: American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2003.
Glaser, Bert, and Lester A. Picker. The Macular Degeneration Sourcebook: A Guide for Patients and Families. Omaha, NE: Addicus Books, 2002.
Gragoudas, Evangelos S., et al. Photodynamic Therapy of Ocular Diseases. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2004.
Holz, F. G., et al. Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Berlin: Springer, 2004.
Kondrot, Edward. Healing the Eye the Natural Way: Alternative Medicine and Macular Degeneration. 2nd ed. Carson City, NV: Nutritional Research Press, 2001.
Lim, Jennifer I., editor. Age-Related Macular Degeneration. New York: Marcel Dekker, 2002.
Loseliani, O. R., editor. Focus on Macular Degeneration Research. Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science, 2004.
Price, Ira Marc, and Linda Comac. Living Well with Macular Degeneration: Practical Tips and Essential Information. New York: New American Library, 2001.
Rosenthal, Bruce P., and Kate Kelly. Focus on Macular Degeneration Research. Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science, 2004.
PERIODICALS
"Ayes For Your Eyes." Harvard Health Letter (February 2004).
Friedman, E. "Update of the Vascular Model of AMD: Are Statins or Antihypertensives Protective?" British Journal of Ophthalmology 88 (February 2004): 161–63.
Hampton, Tracy. "Scientists Take Aim at Angiogenesis to Treat Degenerative Eye Diseases." Journal of the American Medical Association 291 (March 17, 2004): 1309–10.
Keegan, Lynn. "Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Nutrition." Alternative Medicine Alert 7 (February 2004): 16–21.
"Scaling Back on Fat in Foods, Especially Trans Fats, May Save Your Sight." Environmental Nutrition 27 (February 2004): 3.
Zarbin, M. A. "Current Concepts in the Pathogenesis of Age-Related Macular Degeneration." Archives of Ophthalmology 122 (April 2004): 598–614.
ORGANIZATIONS
American Macular Degeneration Foundation. P.O. Box 515, Northampton, MA 01061-0515. 888-MACULAR. 413-268-7660. amdf@macular.org. <http://www.macular.org>.
American Optometric Association. 243 North Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141-7851. 314-991-4100. <http://www.aoanet>.
"Macular Degeneration." NWHRC Health Center. National Women's Health Resource Center. March 4, 2004 [cited May 8, 2004]. <http://www.healthywomen.org/>.
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