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Macular Degeneration

Types | Symptoms | Treatment | Vision Aids
Prevention | A Final Word

At a distance of about 12 inches, look at the grid below (Amsler Grid); cover one eye and look at the white dot in the center.

Can you see the center spot?
Can you see all four sides without taking your eye from the center spot?
Can you see the entire grid?
Are there any defects in the grid?
Are the lines straight and parallel?
Do any of the lines bend in anyway?
Does any portion of the grid look blurred?
Is the grid distorted?
Is there any movement in the grid?

Repeat for the other eye. Bear in mind that this test is not meant to be used in lieu of an examination by an eye doctor. If you have any concerns about your vision because of this test or otherwise, you should schedule an examination with your eye doctor.

This test using the Amsler Grid is used in determining the presence of macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is a disease associated with age and in fact, in the United States, it is a disease that affects some 10 million people over the age of 50.

Dry or Neovascular?

Generally, there are two forms of macular degeneration. The first, known as "dry," is a milder, more common form of the disease. Ninety percent of those who have macular degeneration have this "dry" kind and will not experience any great changes in their vision.

The 10 percent who do not have the "dry" have a kind known as neovascular. This type is characterized by a leakage of fluid behind the retina. In some cases, bleeding and the traction of a blood clot in the vitreous body may pull the retina into the vitreous cavity. This is known as retinal detachment and if it is not diagnosed and treated very early, blindness will result.

Symptoms

Those with "dry" macular degeneration will not experience a tremendous change in vision. There may be some blurriness or difficulty in reading but this should not interfere with everyday tasks.

Those with neovascular macular degeneration may experience more obvious symptoms. For example, a straight line may appear distorted, wavy or crooked. In addition, those with the neovascular kind may experience a blind spot in their central field of vision.

Treatment

Exciting new advances in laser therapy have made treatment possible for people with neovascular macular degeneration.

The laser therapy for neovascular macular degeneration works in a very similar fashion to laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy. The laser beam is directed to the retina of the eye. This beam, which is actually energy, seals the abnormal blood vessels to stop bleeding.

While laser therapy is exciting, it is only effective when the disease is diagnosed in its early stages. When the disease is not diagnosed early enough, the macula suffers irreparable damage.

There is no treatment presently for the "dry" form of macular degeneration.

Vision Aids

For those who have experienced some loss of vision, low vision aids may be of some help. Often, those with any visual loss due to "dry" macular degeneration can manage quite well with glasses or bifocals and bright lighting. Those with neovascular macular degeneration may require stronger visual aids such as a magnifying glass with a light attached or a telescopic lens added onto a pair of glasses.

There are many agencies that serve the blind and print-handicapped by providing reading aids, talking books and a myriad of other services. An eye doctor or low-vision specialist can help with specialized low-vision aids.

Prevention

It is virtually impossible to prevent most eye diseases but in some cases, it is possible to prevent blindness or serious vision impairment caused by these diseases. A first step in detecting macular degeneration is to take the Amsler Grid test at the top of this page. More importantly, you should see your eye doctor regularly. One fact bears repeating: Successful treatment for macular degeneration and many other eye diseases depends on early detection.

A final word

Remember, 90 percent of those who develop macular degeneration will have the "dry" form which does not cause any significant visual problems.

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