DRY MACULAR DEGENERATION

Dry macular degeneration is typically a slow progressing, degenerative condition that affects the patient's central vision.

Symptoms of dry macular degeneration include:

• Difficulty reading
• Difficulty recognising faces or handling money
• Blurry vision
• Distorted vision
• Missing patches in the centre of vision

This condition is more common in older patients.

If you are concerned about macular degeneration, we suggest that you book an eye examination

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

Macular degeneration is easily detectable as a part of a routine eye examination. OCT scans give a better look at the macular, and as such can be used to monitor and detect macular degeneration earlier than conventional examination methods

There is currently no effective medical treatment for dry macular degeneration. There are some therapies being tested, but these currently have shown limited success and are not available on the NHS.

Patients who are suffering may slow the progression of their condition by making some adaptations to their lifestyle including:

• Stopping smoking
• Eating less processed, fatty foods
• Adding in leafy greens such as spinach and kale into their diets
• Supplements based on the AREDS2 formulation
• Protecting their eyes from UV light with sunglasses

If you are diagnosed with dry macular degeneration, the optometrist will suggest monitoring your condition to ensure it does not become wet macular degeneration, and may give you some simple tools and techniques to monitor yourself at home.

WET MACULAR DEGENERATION

Wet macular degeneration is typically a fast progressing, degenerative condition that affects the patient's central vision. This can happen suddenly, and dry macular degeneration can sometimes convert to wet macular degeneration.

Symptoms of wet macular degeneration include:

• Sudden drop in vision
• Difficulty recognising faces or handling money
• Sudden blurry vision
• Distorted vision
• Missing patches in the centre of vision

If you are concerned about macular degeneration, we suggest that you book an eye examination

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

Wet macular degeneration can be detected as a part of a routine eye examination, however in some cases, small pockets of fluid below the retina can be hard to detect without the use of OCT scans. 

Early detection of wet macular degeneration is critical as the earlier it is picked up, the sooner treatment can begin to try and preserve as much eyesight as possible.

The main way that wet macular degeneration is treated is through injections in the eye that prevent new blood vessels from growing below the retina, preventing further fluid leaking into the retina.

Many patients feel nervous about having injections in their eyes. This is understandable, however it is actually quite routine and painless, and the benefits greatly outweigh the consequences of untreated wet macular degeneration.

Patients who are suffering may slow the progression of their condition and reduce their risk of further wet changes by making some adaptations to their lifestyle including:

• Stopping smoking
• Eating less processed, fatty foods
• Adding in leafy greens such as spinach and kale into their diets
• Supplements based on the AREDS2 formulation
• Protecting their eyes from UV light with sunglasses