Screening and Treatment for Age-Related Macular Degeneration
We can screen for macular degeneration in a number of ways, but one of the most important messages from this website is that screening should start early in life. AMD is a condition that only manifests later in life due to a lifetime of adverse factors.
The most obvious thing that anyone can do, but especially someone with a family history of AMD, is regular visits to their eyecare professional, be it their optometrist, optician or ophthalmologist. During your visit, the eyecare professional will examine the back of the eyes for early signs of AMD such as drusen, yellowish excretions that can accumulate in the retina.
However, this is already too late because AMD has begun to manifest. Measuring the macular pigment levels can let you know well in advance of an increased risk of AMD. If the macular pigments are low, then supplementing the diet with the macular carotenoids, Lutein (L), Zeaxanthin (Z) and Meso-Zeaxanthin (MZ) as well as Omega 3 and other anti-oxidants will help to reduce your risk.
Undergoing a SightriskTM Analysis can also help to spot early risk factors and advice can be given to further reduce risk.
Not all eyecare professionals will have these tools at their disposal, so it is wise to ask before you make your appointment if your eyecare professional can offer these services to you.
An ophthalmologist may be able to offer you specialised medical investigations using a special instrument called OCT (ocular
coherence tomography is a sophisticated analysis that allows for a 3-D
image of the retina to be built up) can be used. Fluorescein
angiography may also be used, whereby a fluorescent dye is injected
into the blood stream and a series of photographs of the retina are
taken to show the progression of the dye through the fine arteries and
veins at the back of the eye. This will also show up any leakages or
haemorrhages that are active. This may be available to the ophthalmologist in his or her surgery or in a hospital setting. Other tools are also available but these are more commonly used in research, rather than in everyday practice.
An Amsler Grid is a way of being aware as early as possible of visually consequential AMD. These are simple sheets that allow patients to notice early on if anything about their central vision has altered. It is a huge advantahe that these can be used in a home setting.
A normal Amsler Grid
A distorted Amsler Grid
You can download an Amsler chart for yourself by clicking here. This was produced for the National Eye Awareness Week which is run by the Association of Optometrists every year. In 2008, the focus was on AMD. Another leaflet which might prove useful can be found by clicking here. These PDF files are hosted on an Irish website about AMD.
Treatment for AMD
There
is currently no available treatment for early or dry AMD. Prevention is
the answer, and that is what the research here at the MPRG is all
about. However, we have had some remarkable results with two subjects
who have supplemented themselves using a supplement containing all
three macular pigments. See the article about Harry Marsdale in the Press section.
Wet AMD has in the past been treated using various forms of laser to cauterise the leaking or bleeding blood vessels at the macula, but damage to the macula from the laser can often cause as many problems as it might solve. An exciting new treatment called an anti-VEGF injection can stop the formation of the new fragile arteries and veins and help prevent further vision loss.
Where to go for help?
The NCBI are a charitable organisation that offer services, advice and counselling for all people with visual disabilities.