Macular Degeneration (MD) is the leading cause of blindness in Australia. MD occurs as a result of the age-related changes in the function of the macula. The macula is a very small part of the retina, the light sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, which is responsible for central vision.
How does it affect your vision?
The visual changes you may notice as MD progresses are:
- Difficulty reading small print or street signs while wearing spectacles
- Difficulty recognising faces and identifying small objects while wearing spectacles
- Twisting and distortion of straight lines eg. Door frames and windows
- Gradual changes in colour vision – colours look faded
- A centrally located dark or empty blob in the field of vision
Side vision is NOT affected.
What are the risk factor for MD?
The most important controllable risk factor for MD is smoking. People who smoke are about 2.5 times more likely to develop MD than those who have never smoked. You should be screened for the signs and symptoms of MD if you:
- Smoke or have done in the past
- Are older than 50 years
- Have hypertension or cardiovascular disease
- Have a family history of MD
- Have a history of significant light exposure, eg. Working outdoors
- Have any of the symptoms of MD mentioned above
How is MD Detected and diagnosed?
Many people do not realise they have a problem until their vision becomes significantly blurred. Our optometrists perform a number of tests in the examination, which enables them to detect the presence of MD in the early stages.
Our optometrists examine the macula carefully with a range of specialised instruments. These include a Biomicroscope, OCT, Retinal imaging and Opthalmoscopy. These instruments allow a highly detailed 3D examination of the interior of the eye, including the macula. Our optometrists routinely also place an eye drop in the eye to dilate the pupil to get a better view of the internal structures. With these specialised instruments the optometrist will look for changes in the macula, such as accumulation of waste material or new blood vessels.
Another test that may be used is a grid pattern known as an Amsler grid. Patients with MD often report that sections of the grid appear to be distorted or missing.
What should you do about MD?
Early diagnosis of MD is necessary for possible treatments to be effective. Regular eye examinations are the key to early detection of retinal changes and other signs of disease. If you notice any change in the quality of your vision, have your eyes examined immediately. Regular examinations are particularly important for people over the age of 50 years and people who have a family history of eye problems.
Other preventative measures include minimising exposure to UV light and cigarette smoke. A low fat diet (reducing saturated fats), rich in green leafy vegetables, nuts and fish may be beneficial in reducing the impact of MD.
If you have intermediate MD in 1 or both eyes, special dietary supplements called AREDS 2 can help slow down vision loss. It depends what stage of MD you have. If you have intermediate MD in 1 or both eyes, they may be able to stop it from turning into late MD. AREDS 2 supplements can’t prevent early MD from developing into intermediate MD. Omega 3/Fish Oil, B group vitamins and folic acid may be beneficial in reducing the impact of MD. Patients should speak to their Family Doctor before taking any supplements.