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What is Macular Degeneration?
Although many people are not aware of it, macular degeneration, often called AMD or ARMD (for age-related macular degeneration), is the leading cause of blindness in the world. The eye-health organization Prevent Blindness America estimates that 13 million Americans have evidence of AMD.

The disease breaks down the macula, the light-sensitive part of the retina responsible for the sharp, direct vision needed to read or drive.

Macular degeneration is diagnosed as either dry (atrophic) or wet (exudative). The dry form is more common than the wet, with about 90% of AMD patients diagnosed with dry AMD. The wet form of the disease usually leads to more serious vision loss.

Macular degeneration is more common in people over age 65, and whites and females tend to get the disease more than their counterparts. Most cases of macular degeneration are related to aging. It also can occur as a side effect of some drugs, and it appears to run in families.

Possible vision with macular degeneration.

Macular Degeneration Treatment

Vitamins and minerals. Many researchers and eyecare practitioners believe that antioxidant vitamins, such as beta-carotene (vitamin A) and vitamins C and E, may protect the macula from damage. In fact, a recently published study of over 3600 people found that supplementation with vitamins C and E, beta-carotene and zinc reduced certain patients' risk of progressing to advanced AMD by about 28%. This number reflects those patients with a lot of intermediate or large drusen, but not those with limited intermediate drusen or multiple small drusen. Because of their findings, the researchers recommend that patients at risk of developing advanced AMD consider taking antioxidant and zinc supplements. Participants received:

500 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C
400 international units (IU) of vitamin E
15 mg of beta-carotene
and 80 mg of zinc oxide
Note that smokers should avoid beta carotene supplements, as they increase the risk of lung cancer in smokers and those who've recently quit.*

The eyecare community does not agree on the benefits of zinc or antioxidant supplements: more study is needed, especially on the long-term effects of high-dose supplementation. Keep in mind also that too much of any vitamin or mineral may affect the body's ability to absorb other important nutrients.

Visudyne drug treatment. Visudyne is the first-ever drug therapy for the wet form of the disease. It's only for those whose new blood vessels are characterized as "predominantly classic": about 40% to 60% of new wet AMD patients, according to Visudyne maker Novartis. In this treatment procedure, the doctor injects Visudyne into your arm, then activates the drug by shining a non-thermal laser into your eye. Visudyne activation produces a chemical reaction that destroys abnormal blood vessels. The procedure is virtually painless, Novartis said. One in six Visudyne patients shows improved vision, or about twice as many patients as those who do not undergo Visudyne therapy.

Laser treatment. Laser photocoagulation may help wet AMD patients by destroying new blood vessels to prevent leakage. Scientists are currently studying laser treatments for dry AMD as well.

Low vision devices for vision loss. Although much progress has been made recently in ARMD treatment research, as things stand now, any central vision lost to dry AMD will probably not be restored. Your eyecare practitioner may ask you to check your vision with an Amsler grid, a piece of paper with a black grid of lines. Viewing the Amsler grid separately with each eye helps you monitor your vision loss. For those who have suffered vision loss, many low vision devices are available to help improve vision by using magnifying lenses and bright lights. Some low vision aids shift images to the periphery for clearer vision.

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