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Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration an eye disease that damages the central part of the retina called the macula, causing a loss of sharp, central vision.

What is Macular Degeneration?

Macular degeneration is an eye disease that affects central vision. This means that people with macular degeneration can’t see things directly in front of them. This common age-related eye condition mostly occurs in people over the age of 50.

Macular degeneration affects your macula, the central part of your retina. Your retina is in the back of your eye and controls central vision. People with macular degeneration aren’t completely blind. Their peripheral vision (ability to see things off to the sides) is fine.

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Does macular degeneration affect both eyes?

​Macular degeneration may develop in one eye or both eyes with different levels of severity.

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Who might get macular degeneration?

As the term “age-related macular degeneration” (AMD) implies, macular degeneration is more likely to occur as you get older. However, people can develop macular degeneration at younger ages because of several factors.

In addition to age, risk factors for macular degeneration include:

• Having a family history of macular degeneration.

• Being overweight.

• Smoking.

• Having high blood pressure (hypertension).

• Eating a diet high in saturated fats.

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What are the symptoms of macular degeneration?

• Being less able to see in low light.

• Blurred vision.

• Problems or changes in the way you see colours.

• Low vision.

• Straight lines that you see as curving or wavy. If you’re looking at lines that you know should be straight, but they appear wavy or curved, you should contact an eye care provider.

• Blank spots or dark spots in your field of vision.

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How is macular degeneration diagnosed?

Macular degeneration rarely causes symptoms in its early stages, so annual eye examinations are very important. They’ll help your provider find the disease early and start treatments when they’re most effective. During an eye exam, your eye care provider checks for changes to your retina and macula.

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How is macular degeneration managed or treated?

​Nutritional supplements to treat dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD):

• Vitamin C

• Vitamin E

• Lutein

• Zinc

• Copper

• Zeaxanthin

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Medications to treat wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD):

There are drugs that treat but don’t cure wet AMD. They include anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections. They block the production of VEGF, which is a protein that produces new blood vessels.

• Aflibercept (Eylea)

• Ranibizumab (Lucentis)

• Bevacizumab (Avastin)

• Faricimab-svoa (VABYSMO)

• Brolucizumab (Beovu)