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Wet macular degeneration

Macular degeneration
Synonyms Age-related macular degeneration
Intermediate age related macular degeneration.jpg
Picture of the back of the eye showing intermediate age-related macular degeneration
Specialty Ophthalmology
Symptoms Blurred or no vision in the center of the visual field
Complications Visual hallucinations
Usual onset Older people
Types Early, intermediate, late
Causes Damage to the macula of the retina
Risk factors Genetics, smoking
Diagnostic method Eye examination
Prevention Exercising, eating well, not smoking
Treatment Anti-VEGF medication injected into the eye, laser coagulation, photodynamic therapy
Frequency 6.2 million (2015)
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Macular degeneration, also known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD or ARMD), is a medical condition which may result in blurred or no vision in the center of the visual field. Early on there are often no symptoms. Over time, however, some people experience a gradual worsening of vision that may affect one or both eyes. While it does not result in complete blindness, loss of central vision can make it hard to recognize faces, drive, read, or perform other activities of daily life. Visual hallucinations may also occur and these do not represent a mental illness.

Macular degeneration typically occurs in older people. Genetic factors and smoking also play a role. It is due to damage to the macula of the retina. Diagnosis is by a complete eye exam. The severity is divided into early, intermediate, and late types. The late type is additionally divided into "dry" and "wet" forms with the dry form making up 90% of cases.

Prevention includes exercising, eating well, and not smoking. Antioxidant vitamins and minerals do not appear to be useful for prevention. There is no cure or treatment that returns vision already lost. In the wet form, anti-VEGF medication injected into the eye or less commonly laser coagulation or photodynamic therapy may slow worsening. Supplements in those who already have the disease may slow progression.

In 2015 it affected 6.2 million people globally. In 2013 it was the fourth most common cause of blindness after cataracts, preterm birth, and glaucoma. It most commonly occurs in people over the age of fifty and in the United States is the most common cause of vision loss in this age group. About 0.4% of people between 50 and 60 have the disease, while it occurs in 0.7% of people 60 to 70, 2.3% of those 70 to 80, and nearly 12% of people over 80 years old.


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