ARMD
Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) is the most common cause of irreversible vision loss for people over
the age of 60. It is estimated that 2.5 million people in developed countries will suffer visual loss from this
disorder and that there are approximately 200,000 new cases diagnosed every year.
Macular degeneration is most common in people over the age of 65, but there have been some cases affecting
people as young as their 40s and 50s. Symptoms include blurry or fuzzy vision, a reduction in color vision,
straight lines like telephone poles and sides of buildings appear wavy and a dark or empty area may appear in
the center of vision.
What is the macula?
The macula is the small portion of the retina located at the center of this light sensitive lining at the back of the
eye. Light rays from objects that we are looking at come to a focus on the retina and are converted into electrical
impulses that are then sent to the brain. The macula is responsible for sharp straight-ahead vision necessary
for functions such as reading, driving a car and recognizing faces.
The effect of this disease can range from mild vision loss to central blindness. That is, blindness "straight
ahead" but with normal peripheral vision from the non-macular part of the retina which is undamaged by the
disease.
Two types of macular degeneration
Ninety percent of ARMD is of the "atrophic" or "dry" variety. It is characterized by a thinning of the macular tissue
and the development of small deposits on the retina called drusen. Dry ARMD develops slowly and usually
causes mild visual loss. The main symptom is often a dimming of vision when reading.
The second form of ARMD is called "exudative" or "wet" because of the abnormal growth of new blood vessels
under the macula where they leak and eventually create a large blind spot in the central vision. This form of the
disease is of much greater threat to vision than the more common dry type.
What are the causes of ARMD?
Unfortunately, the cause of this eye condition is not fully understood, but it is associated with the aging process.
As we age, we become more susceptible to numerous degenerative processes like arthritis, heart conditions,
cancer, cataracts and macular degeneration. These conditions may be caused by the body's overproduction of
free radicals.
During the metabolic process, oxygen atoms with an extra electron are released. These extra electrons are quite
destructive and cause cellular damage, alter DNA, and are thought to be at least partially responsible for many of
the degenerative diseases mentioned above. The production of these free radicals is normal during metabolism
but the body produces its own "anti-oxidants" to neutralize them.
Some of the vitamins in the food we eat also have anti-oxidant properties. These are vitamins A, C, E and
beta-carotene. Unfortunately, smoking, poor nutrition and other lifestyle factors result in the body producing too
many free radicals. For this reason, lifestyle factors may contribute to the risk of ARMD.
There is some evidence to suggest that ARMD has a genetic basis, as the condition tends to run in families. The
exact nature of this familial tendency, however, has not been clarified. It has been suggested from twin studies
that there is a defect in the genes responsible for the integrity and health of the retina.
Exposure to certain types of light may also play a role. Studies performed on fishermen in the Chesapeake Bay
suggest that long-term exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun may increase the risk of ARMD and other eye
conditions such as the development of cataracts
How is it treated?
Although researchers are spending a great deal of time investigating the cause and treatment of ARMD, there is
no real cure available. The goal of current treatment efforts is to attempt to stabilize the condition.
For the more severe wet form of the disease, doctors have tried laser photocoagulation. This treatment, however,
is not without dangers and is only beneficial in the very early stages of the condition, which is why early detection
is so important. This technique involves directing a beam of laser light at the abnormal blood vessels in order to
destroy them and prevent their leaking. Provided that the blood vessels have not grown under the macula, this
treatment can be helpful in arresting the progress of the disease. If the blood vessels are already under the
macula, the laser may cause scarring and permanent vision loss.
A type of treatment called photodynamic therapy (PDT) shows promise. A drug, injected into the arm travels to the
affected eye and is then exposed to a non-thermal red light. This light activates the drug to close and seal off the
abnormal blood vessels. The entire treatment only takes about 30 minutes and requires no anesthetic.
The latest treatment includes anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) drugs which block the
trouble-causing VEGF, reducing the growth of abnormal blood vessels and slowing their leakage.
Several new treatments are under development and scientific evaluation as well. These procedures may
preserve more sight overall, though they are not cures that restore vision to normal.
Are vitamins and nutrition useful?
No treatment exists for the dry form but a combination of specific vitamins and minerals has been demonstrated
to help slow the progression of the disease. Anti-oxidant vitamins may help to neutralize the free radicals that are
associated with this degenerative process. Zinc, one of the most common trace minerals in our body, is highly
concentrated in the retina and surrounding tissues and is a requirement for chemical reactions in the retina.
Fat-soluble anti-oxidant vitamins like vitamin A and vitamin E are stored in the body and can increase to toxic
levels if over used and zinc may interfere with other trace minerals like copper. Caution should therefore be
exercised in the use of vitamins and minerals. Ask Dr. Dodge which vitamins are right for you.
A low-fat diet, rich in dark green leafy vegetables, including spinach, some types of leaf lettuce and broccoli, can
slow vision loss due to macular degeneration as well.
Dr. Dodge also fits low vision devices for those patients that have already lost some vision due to ARMD. These
telescopic and microscopic lenses, magnifying glasses, illuminated magnifiers, and closed circuit television
systems can be prescribed to help make the most effective use of remaining vision and restore function.
Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) is the most common cause of irreversible vision loss for people over
the age of 60. It is estimated that 2.5 million people in developed countries will suffer visual loss from this
disorder and that there are approximately 200,000 new cases diagnosed every year.
Macular degeneration is most common in people over the age of 65, but there have been some cases affecting
people as young as their 40s and 50s. Symptoms include blurry or fuzzy vision, a reduction in color vision,
straight lines like telephone poles and sides of buildings appear wavy and a dark or empty area may appear in
the center of vision.
What is the macula?
The macula is the small portion of the retina located at the center of this light sensitive lining at the back of the
eye. Light rays from objects that we are looking at come to a focus on the retina and are converted into electrical
impulses that are then sent to the brain. The macula is responsible for sharp straight-ahead vision necessary
for functions such as reading, driving a car and recognizing faces.
The effect of this disease can range from mild vision loss to central blindness. That is, blindness "straight
ahead" but with normal peripheral vision from the non-macular part of the retina which is undamaged by the
disease.
Two types of macular degeneration
Ninety percent of ARMD is of the "atrophic" or "dry" variety. It is characterized by a thinning of the macular tissue
and the development of small deposits on the retina called drusen. Dry ARMD develops slowly and usually
causes mild visual loss. The main symptom is often a dimming of vision when reading.
The second form of ARMD is called "exudative" or "wet" because of the abnormal growth of new blood vessels
under the macula where they leak and eventually create a large blind spot in the central vision. This form of the
disease is of much greater threat to vision than the more common dry type.
What are the causes of ARMD?
Unfortunately, the cause of this eye condition is not fully understood, but it is associated with the aging process.
As we age, we become more susceptible to numerous degenerative processes like arthritis, heart conditions,
cancer, cataracts and macular degeneration. These conditions may be caused by the body's overproduction of
free radicals.
During the metabolic process, oxygen atoms with an extra electron are released. These extra electrons are quite
destructive and cause cellular damage, alter DNA, and are thought to be at least partially responsible for many of
the degenerative diseases mentioned above. The production of these free radicals is normal during metabolism
but the body produces its own "anti-oxidants" to neutralize them.
Some of the vitamins in the food we eat also have anti-oxidant properties. These are vitamins A, C, E and
beta-carotene. Unfortunately, smoking, poor nutrition and other lifestyle factors result in the body producing too
many free radicals. For this reason, lifestyle factors may contribute to the risk of ARMD.
There is some evidence to suggest that ARMD has a genetic basis, as the condition tends to run in families. The
exact nature of this familial tendency, however, has not been clarified. It has been suggested from twin studies
that there is a defect in the genes responsible for the integrity and health of the retina.
Exposure to certain types of light may also play a role. Studies performed on fishermen in the Chesapeake Bay
suggest that long-term exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun may increase the risk of ARMD and other eye
conditions such as the development of cataracts
How is it treated?
Although researchers are spending a great deal of time investigating the cause and treatment of ARMD, there is
no real cure available. The goal of current treatment efforts is to attempt to stabilize the condition.
For the more severe wet form of the disease, doctors have tried laser photocoagulation. This treatment, however,
is not without dangers and is only beneficial in the very early stages of the condition, which is why early detection
is so important. This technique involves directing a beam of laser light at the abnormal blood vessels in order to
destroy them and prevent their leaking. Provided that the blood vessels have not grown under the macula, this
treatment can be helpful in arresting the progress of the disease. If the blood vessels are already under the
macula, the laser may cause scarring and permanent vision loss.
A type of treatment called photodynamic therapy (PDT) shows promise. A drug, injected into the arm travels to the
affected eye and is then exposed to a non-thermal red light. This light activates the drug to close and seal off the
abnormal blood vessels. The entire treatment only takes about 30 minutes and requires no anesthetic.
The latest treatment includes anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) drugs which block the
trouble-causing VEGF, reducing the growth of abnormal blood vessels and slowing their leakage.
Several new treatments are under development and scientific evaluation as well. These procedures may
preserve more sight overall, though they are not cures that restore vision to normal.
Are vitamins and nutrition useful?
No treatment exists for the dry form but a combination of specific vitamins and minerals has been demonstrated
to help slow the progression of the disease. Anti-oxidant vitamins may help to neutralize the free radicals that are
associated with this degenerative process. Zinc, one of the most common trace minerals in our body, is highly
concentrated in the retina and surrounding tissues and is a requirement for chemical reactions in the retina.
Fat-soluble anti-oxidant vitamins like vitamin A and vitamin E are stored in the body and can increase to toxic
levels if over used and zinc may interfere with other trace minerals like copper. Caution should therefore be
exercised in the use of vitamins and minerals. Ask Dr. Dodge which vitamins are right for you.
A low-fat diet, rich in dark green leafy vegetables, including spinach, some types of leaf lettuce and broccoli, can
slow vision loss due to macular degeneration as well.
Dr. Dodge also fits low vision devices for those patients that have already lost some vision due to ARMD. These
telescopic and microscopic lenses, magnifying glasses, illuminated magnifiers, and closed circuit television
systems can be prescribed to help make the most effective use of remaining vision and restore function.
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