Not to be confused with those of cataracts, the symptoms of AMD arise suddenly and progress rapidly.
Over the years, vision very often weakens. But it is important to pay close attention to certain alarm bells, because they can be signs of even serious eye problems.
Francesco Viola, researcher at the University of Milan and medical director at the IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Foundation, warns: “The initial symptoms of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) should not be confused with those of common cataracts (opacification of the lens of the eye)”.
Symptoms not to be underestimated
What should you watch out for? To a distortion of the images in the center of the field of view, that is where the gaze is pointed. “Another alarm bell,” adds the expert, “is the sudden difficulty in reading and carrying out activities at close range. What distinguishes this retinal disease from cataracts is the rapidity of its onset: in a few weeks the vision is no longer the same. I also recommend controlling the situation by putting a hand on one eye to “examine” the other».
What to do if you think you have some problem? Viola replies: “In these cases it is essential to contact your ophthalmologist immediately. It is important to be able to diagnose the disease as early as possible. Because the sooner you diagnose this disease, the more likely you have to succeed from therapies.”
The two forms of the disease
Age-related macular degeneration or age-related macular degeneration is a disease that affects the central part of the retina, called macula.
The advance of the disease leads to a progressive loss of central vision. The risk of AMD increases with age.
It can occur around the age of 55, but the risk of being affected becomes more frequent as you approach the age of 80. Given the increase in average life expectancy, AMD is becoming increasingly widespread in industrialized countries.
There are two forms of AMD, both linked to alterations of the capillary microcirculation, typical of old age: the dry (or atrophic) form and the wet (or exudative) form.
The dry form (affects 85-90% of cases), is characterized by a progressive thinning of the central retina. The area, as a result, atrophies resulting in the formation of a “map” appearance in the macular region.
The wet or exudative form is less common (affects 10-15% of cases). In the retinal area, a network of new capillaries is formed. These tiny blood vessels can break easily, causing retinal hemorrhage. And a consequent impairment of the central view.
Diagnosis and treatment
For a complete diagnosis, the ophthalmologist may prescribe specific diagnostic tests, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT), which allows you to visualize the individual layers of the retina, or fluorescein angiography, which “photographs” the blood circulation of the area. It is then up to the specialist to determine the measures to be taken to treat the different maculopathies.
In case of exudative macular degeneration, the most common treatment uses intravitreal injections of drugs that counteract the formation of new vessels (anti-VEGF and VEGF-Trap).
Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.
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