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Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease of the eye that is the leading cause of blindness for people aged 65 years and older and affects more than 10 million Americans. AMD is caused by a deterioration of the retina—the layer of the eye that contains cells that relay images through the optic nerve to the brain. The center of the retina is called the macula and is responsible for the detailed central vision that allows people to read, drive, and recognize faces. If the macula starts to break down, areas in the center of the visual field start to look blurred.
Risk factors for AMD include older age, white race, and smoking. There is no cure for AMD, but therapies are available that can slow the disease. The May 24/31, 2006, issue of JAMA includes an article on age-related macular degeneration. This Patient Page is based on one previously published in the November 19, 2002, issue of JAMA.
TYPES OF AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION
There are 2 types of AMD: wet and dry. Dry AMD is more common and is associated with small, yellow deposits (drusen) in the macula. Dry AMD causes the macula to lose its function. The most common symptom of dry AMD is blurred central vision that worsens slowly. If dry AMD affects only one eye, symptoms may not be noticeable. Wet AMD accounts for approximately 15% of all cases of the disease. In wet AMD, abnormal blood vessels beneath the macula start to leak fluid, causing the retina to become distorted. This type of AMD can be severe and rapid. A common symptom of wet AMD is that straight lines appear wavy, and central vision degrades rapidly. Laser therapy to prevent the blood vessels from leaking is one form of therapy for wet AMD that your eye doctor may recommend. Unfortunately, recurrences after laser treatment are common.
EVALUATION
A screening eye examination, including detailed examination of the retina, is recommended for all persons 40 years or older. If your eye doctor discovers drusen or other signs of AMD, it is important to have frequent eye examinations. Your eye doctor can provide you with an Amsler grid (a piece of graph paper with thick, dark lines) that you can use to test your vision each day. If the lines appear wavy or distorted, you should see your eye doctor immediately because it may be a sign of wet AMD. Your eye doctor may recommend the daily use of zinc and antioxidant vitamins (vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta carotene), which have been shown to reduce the risk of developing more severe forms of AMD.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
INFORM YOURSELF
To find this and previous JAMA Patient Pages, go to the Patient Page link on JAMA's Web site at http://www.jama.com.
Sources: National Eye Institute, American Academy of Ophthalmology, Macular Degeneration Partnership, American Macular Degeneration Foundation, Macular Degeneration Network
The JAMA Patient Page is a public service of JAMA. The information and recommendations appearing on this page are appropriate in most instances, but they are not a substitute for medical diagnosis. For specific information concerning your personal medical condition, JAMA suggests that you consult your physician. This page may be photocopied noncommercially by physicians and other health care professionals to share with patients. To purchase bulk reprints, call 203/259-8724.
TOPIC: EYE DISEASES
Sharon Parmet, MS, Writer;
Cassio Lynm, MA, Illustrator;
Richard M. Glass, MD, Editor
JAMA. 2006;295:2438.
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