Nearly 20 million Americans have Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD), making it a leading cause of vision loss, particularly among older adults. ARMD occurs naturally when a part of the retina called the macula is damaged. The macula is responsible for central vision, so this damage significantly impacts daily activities like reading, driving, and recognizing faces.

Understanding ARMD

ARMD presents in two forms, dry and wet.

Dry ARMD, is the more common type, representing about 80% of total ARMD cases. With dry ARMD, parts of the macula get thinner and tiny clumps of protein form. This form of ARMD can progress slowly through the course of multiple years.

Wet ARMD is the less common form, but its impact is more immediate. With wet ARMD, abnormal blood vessels that grow under the retina begin to leak blood or other fluids. The scarring this produces can lead to rapid vision loss.

ARMD Risk Factors

Several factors increase a person’s risk of developing ARMD. Age, genetics, smoking, high blood pressure, obesity and prolonged sun exposure can all play a role. Understanding these ARMD risk factors is the first step in prevention.

ARMD Prevention Strategies

While age and genetics are unchangeable, lifestyle adjustments can significantly reduce your risk of ARMD:

• Diet – Eating fruits, green, leafy vegetables, fish, nuts and other foods high in antioxidants can help reduce your ARMD risk. 
• Exercise – Exercising regularly can improve your cardiovascular health and reduce obesity and hypertension (high blood pressure), which are linked to ARMD. 
• Sun Exposure – Wearing sunglasses with ultraviolet protection while outdoors helps prevent retina damage.
• Smoking – Quitting smoking is one of the most effective steps you can take to reduce your risk of ARMD, as studies show it can cut your risk by as much as 50%. 

Regular Comprehensive Eye Exams

Early detection of ARMD is crucial. Regular comprehensive eye exams, especially after age 50, can help detect ARMD in its early stages. These exams are vital for monitoring changes in your vision, including the health of your macula.

Treatment and Care

While there's currently no cure for ARMD, treatments can slow its progression and, in some cases, improve vision:

• For Dry ARMD: A specific blend of vitamins and minerals, known as AREDS or AREDS2 (Age-Related Eye Disease Study), has been shown to delay progression of intermediate to advanced dry ARMD, allowing patients to maintain vision for longer.
• For Wet ARMD: Anti-VEGF (anti vascular endothelial growth factor) injections are commonly used to reduce the growth of abnormal blood vessels and slow leakage. These injections provide vision stabilization in 90% of wet ARMD cases and promote improved vision in nearly 33%. Thermal laser therapy or photodynamic therapy can also help. 

If you or someone you love is experiencing vision loss, has known ARMD, or if it’s just been a while since your last comprehensive eye exam, contact the vision experts at North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care today at 352-373-4300 to schedule an appointment.