Do you find it difficult to read small letters? And do you find it difficult to focus distant objects? If you answered YES and thought it was because you have weakening eyesight or cataract, read on because you could be ignoring a more serious eye problem ? ARMD. Now check if straight lines / shapes look distorted or wavy to you. If they do, you should take an appointment with your eye doctor today!

What is ARMD?

Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is the one of the most common cause of vision loss in people over the age of 50 and its prevalence increases with age. It is caused by the degeneration of the Macula, the central and most sensitive part of the retina at the back of the eyes.

What triggers it?

The Macula in the Eye provides the sharp, central vision we need for reading, driving, and seeing fine detail. Macular degeneration refers to the breakdown of the macula. This disorder results in the loss of central vision only -- peripheral fields are always clear. However, although loss of ability to read and drive may be caused by macular degeneration, the disease does not lead to complete blindness.

Many older people develop macular degeneration as part of the body's natural aging process. Exactly why it develops is not known, and no treatment has been uniformly effective. However, the high risk factors are smoking, uncontrolled hypertension and prolonged exposure to direct bright sunlight. While ARMD cannot be reversed, its impact can be reduced.

Types of ARMD

There are two main types of ARMD: the "dry" form and the "wet" form. Most people with ARMD have the dry form.

?"Dry" Macular Degeneration (atrophic)

This is caused by the aging and thinning of the tissues of the macula. Vision loss is usually gradual.

?"Wet" Macular Degeneration (exudative)

Accounting for about 10% of all ARMD cases, Wet ARMD results when abnormal blood vessels form underneath the retina at the back of the eye leak fluid or blood and blur central vision. Vision loss may be rapid and severe.

Symptoms of ARMD

Some people with macular degeneration notice that straight lines in a landscape - such as electricity poles, the sides of buildings or streets, appear wavy. Other symptoms include blurring of type or a page of print, with dark or empty spaces that may block the centre of the field of vision. You can detect early stages of macular degeneration by using a simple vision test using a chart called the Amsler grid.

Reduce Risks of ARMD by:

?Increasing intake of fruits and vegetables

?Consuming fish (like tuna) more than once per week may be beneficial

?Reducing alcohol consumption (alcohol depletes antioxidants and carotenoids in the body)

?STOP or NEVER START smoking.

?Wearing UV-blocking glasses/sunglasses

?Control high blood pressure

Treatment of ARMD

Despite advanced medical treatment, most people with macular degeneration still experience some vision loss. There should be no delay in taking the treatment advised by the retinal surgeon.

Laser surgery and medications can be used to treat certain types of ARMD. Furthermore, certain types of "wet" macular degeneration can be treated with Anti-VGEF injections. These injections target a specific chemical - vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) - in your body. The anti-VEGF drugs block the trouble-causing VEGF, reducing the growth of abnormal blood vessels and slowing their leakage. The recent development of anti-VEGF medications have become an exciting advance in the treatment of wet AMD.

Bevacizumab (Avastin) and Ranibizumab (Lucentis) are two effective drugs. Most patients will retain the vision they have and some will regain some of the lost vision after these treatments. However, while these procedures may preserve more sight overall, they are not cures that restore vision to normal.

All the above treatments for ARMD are offered at Shroff Eye, Mumbai.

Plan your Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) treatment at Shroff Eye in 9 easy steps?

Send us your email with queries and a recent eye checkup report or call us....

Have your consultation appointment scheduled by email or telephone

Retinal Examination by our doctor and Amslers Grid test (1? hours)

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) test (14mins)

Fundus Fluorescein Angiography (FFA) test (45mins)

Fix your treatment procedure (9mins)

Eye Injection with Avastin / Lucentis (2 hours ? next day or as scheduled)

Your final checkup within 7 days by appointment (9 mins)

Enjoy your vision? Open your eyes to a whole new world!