AMD is a condition which causes a deterioration of the part of the eye that processes the central part of our vision – the macula. The macula is the portion of the eye that is able to perceive the world clearest, and thus patients with AMD tend to have significantly reduced vision. It tends to occur later in life (hence “age-related”) and comes with 2 types: dry AMD and wet AMD.

Dry AMD consists of yellow deposits in the macula called drusen. It is usually treated with nutritional supplements and observed closely by a trained optometric physician. Wet AMD consists of new, leaky blood vessels forming in the macula and tends to lead to more rapid vision loss than dry AMD. It is often treated with intravitreal anti-VEGF injections to slow the development of leaky blood vessels. Although age is the greatest risk factor for AMD, others include a family history of AMD, hypertension, poor diet, and obesity.

People of Caucasian descent are more likely to develop AMD. Smoking is the single greatest modifiable risk factor for developing AMD. Those with AMD may notice blurred vision, a missing spot in their central vision, waves or curves in lines that are meant to be straight, difficulty recognizing faces, and an inability to observe fine details.