Age-related Macular Degeneration

AMD is the leading cause of permanent vision loss in people over the age of 50. It is a group of diseases usually characterized by a painless, gradual loss and increased distortion of central vision which is responsible for tasks such as reading, driving, watching TV and recognising faces. Eventually little or no central vision can remain with additional loss of colours which in combination can reduce a person’s quality of life; one third of all we perceive in our daily lives is information gained from our eyes. There are two types of AMD, dry and wet, although in rare occasions a patient can have both types. Dry is much more common affecting 90% of patients and has no medical cure. Wet can result in sudden loss in vision and may be treated by eye injections to stabilise the vision. As the UK population ages the number of people affected by AMD is expected to double within 20 years.

What is Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?

These are a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors which include:
• Family History
• Smoking (more than 5 years)
• Increasing Age
• Low Degree of Macular Pigment
• Macular Drusen (one or both eyes)
• Female Gender
• Caucasian Ethnicity
• Cardiovascular Disease (Systemic Hypertension, Diabetes and Cholesterol)
• Exposure to UV light (Pale Eye Colour, Fair Skin, Sunbathing, High Altitude Sports)
• Poor Diet (High % saturated Fats/Processed Foods, Overweight).

What are the risk factors for AMD?

Screening for AMD?

Maltings Eyecare is one of the first opticians to offer screening for AMD using the MPOD. This test requires the patient to determine when lights flicker and measures macular pigment density, a controllable risk factor. Screening also includes a digital photo of the back of the eye and a risk analysis based on risk factors revealed and their combined significance. Patients will then receive an expert opinion on how to reduce their risk. This may include macular pigment vitamin supplementation, increased consumption of specific food groups and lifestyle changes.

What is Macular Pigment?

Macular pigment is a yellow substance located in the middle of the light sensitive retina at the back of the eye. It acts as “natures own sunglasses” filtering out harmful blue light radiation. If its density is reduced below age-norm, radiation damage occurs starting AMD. However, the density of the macular pigment can be improved to age-norm by taking specific vitamin supplements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q Who should be screened for AMD?
A Any patients over 40 years of age with any risk factors as previously outlined
Q How long does the MPOD test take and are there any restrictions?
A The test takes about 5 mins per eye and there are no restrictions except very poor vision preventing the patient viewing the flickering lights.
Q Is there anything else I can do?
A Eat a diet rich in fruit and green vegetables (eg broccoli, spinach) and oily fish (eg mackeral, tuna) Stop smoking as this is a significant risk factor, but can be drastically reduced after 5 years of non-smoking. Get a yearly eye examination.

Amsler Grid Test

This test should be performed using your reading spectacles or bifocals/varifocals held up so you are looking through the reading portion. Cover one eye, at a time and focus on the central spot with the opened eye. The surrounding pattern should NOT have wavy, broken or distorted lines or areas missing. If this happens please make an appointment.

The NEW MPOD can test for macular pigment to see whether you are at risk of developing this condition

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