Macular degeneration is the leading cause of age-related vision loss, but luckily, there are affordable ways to prevent and treat this too-common disease. 

What is macular degeneration? 

Macular degeneration is a chronic eye condition that typically affects individuals over the age of 65. It is a progressive disease, meaning symptoms typically worsen over time, and is the leading cause of vision loss in older people. 

Also known as age-related macular degeneration, or AMD for short, this disease causes a loss or blurriness in central vision as the inner layers of the macula – the part of the retina that controls sharp, forward-facing vision – break down. People with this condition often retain their peripheral vision but have trouble recognizing faces, reading, or seeing objects in their direct line of sight. This disorder may develop in both eyes simultaneously or begin in one eye before crossing over to the other. 

Types of macular degeneration 

There are two distinct types of macular degeneration: 

• Dry AMD

Dry AMD is the most common form of age-related macular degeneration, accounting for 80% of all cases. It occurs when the macula becomes thinner with age and progresses in three stages: early, intermediate, and late. There is no current treatment to reverse dry AMD, but you can take steps to slow the disease’s progression and stop it from spreading. 

• Wet AMD 

Wet AMD is a less-common but more-serious form of age-related macular degeneration. It occurs when abnormal blood vessels begin to grow underneath the retina and damage the macula. Vision is typically lost much faster with wet AMD than with dry AMD. It's also worth noting that any stage of dry AMD can turn into wet AMD, but there are no distinct stages of progression with the latter.

Since there’s no known cure for either type of AMD, the primary focus as we age should be on prevention. And that means, addressing the causes of this pernicious disease.

Causes and risk factors

While we still don’t understand the exact causes of macular degeneration, we do know that the condition occurs as the eye ages and the macula becomes thinner. Research also shows that the development of this disease is influenced by genetic and environmental factors, including smoking, obesity, and poor diet. 

In general, your risk of developing age-related macular degeneration is higher if you: 

• Are over the age of 65
• Are overweight
• Are Caucasian
• Smoke tobacco
• Possess a family history of AMD
• Have high blood pressure (hypertension)
• Have a cardiovascular disease

If you fit the criteria for being at risk, it’s best to be aware of any symptoms (see below) and schedule regular appointments with your eye doctor. Because the sooner you’re diagnosed, the better your chances of preserving your eyesight.

Symptoms and diagnosis

Symptoms of macular degeneration include:

• Reduced or blurred central vision in one or both eyes
• Difficulty adapting to dimmer lighting
• Difficulty recognizing familiar faces
• Visual distortions, such as seeing bent lines
• Dark areas or blind spots in central vision

Make sure to schedule an appointment with your eye doctor immediately If you notice sudden changes in your central vision, including:

• Distortion
• Blind sports
• Loss of ability to see sharp details

During your appointment, your ophthalmologist may have you look at an Amsler grid. This graphic will help you notice any blurriness, distortion, or blank spots in your central vision. Alternatively, your eye doctor may decide to administer dilating eye drops and look into your eye with a special lens. Another option for AMD diagnosis is an optical coherence tomography scan, also known as an OCT, which involves using light waves to take pictures of the retina.

Lastly, you may have to undergo a fluorescein angiography, which involves injecting a yellow dye into your bloodstream. The pigment travels to your retina and allows the ophthalmologist to see if any abnormal blood vessels are growing underneath your retina. This test helps diagnose wet AMD. 

How to treat macular degeneration 

While there is no cure for AMD, there are many different types of treatments depending on the form of the disease that you have and how far it’s progressed. 

For dry macular degeneration, your doctor may prescribe several nutritional supplements to help combat the adverse effects. This includes vitamins and minerals such as: 

• Copper
• Lutein
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Zeaxanthin
• Zinc

If you have Wet Macular Degeneration, your doctor may prescribe the following treatments: 

• Anti-VEGF drugs: injected into the eye to reduce the number of abnormal blood vessels found in the retina.
• Photodynamic therapy (PDT): laser therapy designed to reduce the number of abnormal blood vessels found in the retina. 

How to prevent macular degeneration 

Of course, prevention is the best medicine. And you can reduce your chances of getting AMD by adopting healthy lifestyle choices, such as:

• Choosing not to smoke or quitting if you do
• Exercising regularly
• Eating a healthy diet full of fruits, vegetables, and fish
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Managing any existing medical conditions, such as high blood pressure

Making macular degeneration treatment more affordable 

If you are diagnosed with AMD, the rising cost of prescription drugs is the last thing you want to worry about, which is why ModRN Health is dedicated to making treatment more affordable. By using our simple and free price comparison tool, you can search for the best offers in your area and save up to 80% on your prescription medications. All you need to do is sign up, compare prices, download a voucher, and hand it over to your local pharmacist. It’s just that easy.

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