Macular Degeneration

• Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is a degenerative condition of the macula (the central retina) that affects people over the age of 55.
• It is the commonest cause of vision loss in the this age group
• Its prevalence increases with age.
• It results in progressive blurring and distortion of the vision that may result in loss of a drivers licence and inability to read.
• Not all cases are progressive and the majority of cases retain good vision although some loss of quality is noticed.
• There are two types: ”wet” and “dry.”
• New drugs known as anti-VEGF agents such as Avastin and Lucentis are injected into the eye give ophthalmologists the ability to halt progression and even reverse some of the visual loss.

Links: www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/amd.cfm
www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/amd.htm