As we age, a plethora of physical changes become apparent. Our hair starts to gray, our faces become wrinkled, and our bodies start to shrink! These physical indications are a beautiful sign that the seasons are changing, but it is also a sign of precaution. Alongside the physical traits that we can see, there are the physical traits that prevent us from seeing. A common characteristic of aging is a loss in visual acuity, whether that be the use of reading glasses to read this article or noticing drastic changes in your field of vision. Let us take a moment to assess our visual health:
Have you noticed any blurriness in your field of vision?
Have you noticed any distortion in your field of vision?
Have you noticed any dark areas within your field of vision?
These symptoms are all common when your macula within your retina is not functioning properly. Here we examine the leading cause of significant visual acuity loss in people over
age 50: Dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Before we dive into what AMD is, we should review the anatomy of our eye. As light rays enter our eyes through our cornea, pupils, and lens, these rays are focused onto the retina, the light sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye. In the center of the retina is the macula, which is what gives us our pinpoint vision, thus allowing us to see detail clearly. Within the layers of the retina is a layer called the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The RPE is affected by lipid or protein deposits called drusen that accumulate as well as other age-related changes that occur with aging. When your macula is not functioning correctly, your central vision can be impacted with symptoms such as blurriness, dark spots, or distortion.
There are two types of AMD: dry AMD in about 85% of individuals; and wet AMD in about 15% of individuals. In the early stages of dry AMD, drusen are usually harmless, but as they accumulate, dry AMD can progress. Areas of atrophy in the retina may develop; if the atrophic area is significant and with sharp borders, it is termed geographic atrophy (GA). GA is the advanced form of dry AMD, which may be associated with loss of central vision.
There are no current treatment for the dry form of AMD, but certain dietary supplements may help prevent transitioning from early stage to late-stage AMD. Certain supplements such as: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and Zinc may possibly deter atrophy. Speak to your ophthalmologist if you are experiencing decline in your visual acuity and it is always good practice to have yearly check-ups in order to catch AMD in its early stages.
Citation:
Dry age-related macular degeneration. Houston Retina Associates | Houston Texas. (n.d.). https://www.hretina.com/patient-resources/educational-videos/dry-age-related-macular-degeneration Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board