Diagnosis and treatment
What is age-related macular degeneration and how does it affect vision?
What are the main things to know?
- AMD affects the macula - the central zone of the retina responsible for sharp vision
- Straight lines become distorted and a spot appears in the centre of the visual field
- Reading and recognising faces suffer, while side (peripheral) vision is usually preserved
- In the wet form of AMD I personally carry out treatment with intravitreal injections
How do you recognise AMD?
- A straight line suddenly looks wavy or broken
- A blurred or dark spot appears in the centre of the visual field
- Recognising faces or reading small print becomes harder
- Colours seem less saturated than before
How does dry AMD differ from wet AMD?
The dry form of AMD develops slowly, through the build-up of metabolic products under the retina. The wet form is rarer but more aggressive: abnormal vessels start to grow under the retina and can worsen vision quickly, and it is this form that is treated with injections.
When should you see an ophthalmologist about AMD?
If straight lines have started to look bent, if a spot has appeared in the centre of the visual field, or if reading and recognising faces have suddenly become harder. In the wet form of AMD, how quickly you come in directly affects the result of the treatment.
How can I help with AMD?
I diagnose AMD, refer for additional examinations of the retina where needed, and personally carry out intravitreal injections in the wet form of AMD. In the dry form I follow the patient over time and advise on how to keep the progression under control.
What does this page not cover?
AMD is an age-related disease which, in its wet form, can be held back with injections but not cured completely. There is no promise here of restoring vision that was lost before the treatment began.
Questions patients ask most often
What do patients ask most often?
What is an intravitreal injection and does it hurt?
It is an injection of a medicine directly into the vitreous body of the eye, which stops the growth of abnormal vessels in the wet form of AMD. The procedure is short and done under local anaesthesia.
Can vision lost to AMD be restored?
Treating the wet form with injections most often stabilises vision and prevents further deterioration rather than bringing back acuity that has already been lost. The earlier you come in, the better the outlook.
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