Macular Degeneration Treatment Brisbane | Aphrodite Livanes Optometrists

About Macular Degeneration

What is Macular Degeneration?

Macular Degeneration (MD), also known as age-related macular degeneration, is the name given to a group of diseases of the retina that cause progressive, painless loss of central vision. This deterioration can affect the individual’s ability to see fine detail, drive, read, and recognise faces.

Macular Degeneration (MD) is the leading cause of legal blindness in Australia, and there is no cure. However, the earlier the disease is detected, the more vision you are likely to retain – which is why regular eye examinations by your local optometrist are so important.

Treatment aims to slow down the progression of the condition, depending on the stage and type of the disease (wet, dry, and other forms), and preserve as much vision as possible.

Normal retina

Dry ARMD

Wet ARMD

Both wet and dry forms of MD begin in the Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE), a layer of cells underneath the retina. These cells are responsible for passing oxygen, sugar and other essentials up to the retina, and moving waste products down to the blood vessels below.

Macular Degeneration occurs when this “garbage collection” breaks down, and the waste products from the retina build up underneath the RPE. These deposits, known as ‘drusen’, are easily seen as yellow spots, during an eye examination by your optometrist.

As MD progresses, vision loss occurs, either because:

the RPE cells die;
or because they have failed to prevent blood vessels from the choroid growing into the retina.

In the early stages when drusen first appear, you may not realise anything is wrong and you may still have normal vision. Regular eye testing is the best way to ensure that the disease is detected early on, so that macular degeneration treatment can begin, thus stabilising and maintaining as much of your sight as possible.

Symptoms of Macular Degeneration

Distorted vision, where a grid of straight lines may appear wavy or bent
Blurred vision: a gradual decline in the ability to see objects clearly
Dark patches, shadows or empty spaces appearing in the centre of your vision, and parts of a grid of straight lines may appear blank
Difficulty distinguishing faces.

Difficulty reading or doing any other activity that requires fine vision
Trouble discerning colours
Sensitivity to glare
Slow adjustment of vision after exposure to bright lights
Need for increased illumination

Normal Vision

Vision with Age-related Macular Degeneration

Do the Amsler Gridgtest

About this test

The Amsler grid is a tool that optometrists use to detect vision problems caused by macular degeneration.

Instructions:

Do not remove glasses or contact lenses normally used for reading
Hold grid at eye level (approximately 33cm away) in a well lit room
Cover one eye and focus on the centre dot with the uncovered eye (make sure the eye is fully covered)
Repeat with the other eye
If the line appears wavy or distorted, blurred or with a missing segment, it may indicate there is an issue with your macula

grid-test

Macular Degeneration Treatment and Prevention

Early detection of macular degeneration is crucial, as some forms of the disease may be arrested with early treatment
Regular eye examinations are the key to early detection before vision loss occurs
Eat a healthy diet which includes fish at least two times a week and plenty of dark green leafy vegetables – as well as fresh fruit every day along with nuts; avoid fatty foods
Consider taking a zinc and anti-oxidant supplement
Use eye protection – sunglasses against UV damage, or blue light blocking glasses or filters when using digital devices.
Maintain a healthy weight and get some regular exercise
Don’t smoke

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