Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Your Complete Guide to Prevention and Treatment Options That Could Save Your Vision
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the Western world, with a higher prevalence among Europeans and North Americans than that in Africans, Hispanics, and Asians. For seniors, understanding this condition and knowing your options for prevention and treatment has never been more critical.
Understanding Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is an eye disease that affects central vision. This means that people with macular degeneration can’t see things directly in front of them. Advanced AMD is categorized as atrophic (dry) or exudative (wet/neovascular age-related macular degeneration [nAMD]). Dry AMD is characterized by progressive geographic atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium and outer retinal layers, whereas nAMD is characterized by new vessels that invade the subretinal and/or subretinal pigment epithelium spaces.
Nearly 90% of people with macular degeneration have the dry form. It develops when tiny yellow protein deposits called drusen form under your macula. The built-up deposits dry and thin your macula. The good news is that people with macular degeneration aren’t completely blind. Their peripheral vision (ability to see things off to the sides) is fine.
Risk Factors and Prevention Strategies
As the term “age-related macular degeneration” (AMD) implies, macular degeneration is more likely to occur as you get older. However, people can develop macular degeneration at younger ages because of several factors. In addition to age, risk factors for macular degeneration include: Having a family history of macular degeneration. Additional risk factors include being overweight, having high blood pressure (hypertension), eating a diet high in saturated fats, and smoking.
While there is no cure for AMD, taking preventive steps may reduce your chances of developing this disease. Research shows that lifestyle modifications can play a significant role in prevention. Supplements which follow what is called the AREDs formula “potentially reduce” the progression of AMD. These supplements and vitamins, which are available over the counter among high street retailers, are considered “the gold standard management” for AMD, according to James, alongside a good diet of green leafy vegetables, regular optician appointments and using an Amsler grid.
A new analysis of data from the National Eye Institute’s (NEI) Age-Related Eye Disease Studies (AREDS and AREDS2) has shown that the AREDS nutritional supplements slowed the progression of geographic atrophy (GA), the late-stage of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) which is also known as geographic atrophy (GA). For the majority in AREDS and AREDS2 who developed GA far from the fovea, the supplements slowed the rate of GA expansion towards the fovea by approximately 55 percent over an average of three years.
Revolutionary Treatment Breakthroughs in 2024
The treatment landscape for AMD has transformed dramatically in recent years. Advanced dry AMD, characterized by geographic atrophy (GA), is a leading cause of blindness in the developed world, though prior to 2023 there was no approved treatment. There are now two approved treatments in the United States for GA.
Two intravitreal inhibitors of the complement cascade have recently received the US FDA approval for the treatment of GA. Pegcetacoplan (Syfovre), a complement 3 inhibitor given monthly or every other month, reduced the growth rate of GA by 20%-29%, and avacincaptad pegol (Izervay), an anti-C5 aptamer, reduced GA growth by 27.3%-27.8%, though neither drug prevented a decline in vision function compared with the sham group over the course of 2 years.
For wet AMD, treatment options have continued to evolve. Genentech’s Susvimo, a permanent, refillable implant the size of a rice grain, provides continual delivery of an anti-VEGF treatment to the retina. In a Phase 3 clinical trial, a single PDS implant performed as effectively as six-monthly injections of Lucentis® (an FDA-approved anti-VEGF therapy).
Emerging Therapies and Future Hope
The future of AMD treatment looks increasingly promising. Gene therapy, which has shown success in treating other hereditary retinal diseases, offers a promising long-term solution for AMD by targeting retinal cells to produce therapeutic proteins. This review explores the potential of gene therapy for AMD, examining recent clinical trials and future treatment directions.
Gene therapy is another potential way to prevent macular degeneration. This approach encourages the eye to produce anti-VEGF medication on its own. Researchers are exploring gene therapy to better understand how AMD develops and if it might prevent or slow the progression of AMD.
Stem cell therapies are also showing promise. Luxa Biotechnology reported encouraging results for six patients with dry AMD receiving a low dose (50,000 cells) of RPESC-RPE-4W, its proprietary retinal pigment epithelial stem cell therapy, in a Phase 1/2a clinical trial. Thanks to these results, the company has begun dosing patients with a higher dose of 150,000 cells. The three patients with worse vision in the clinical trial responded best to Luxa’s emerging RPE stem cell treatment. Their average best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was approximately 32 letters (slightly better than 20/250) upon enrollment. At 12 months after receiving RPESC-RPE-4W, their vision improved an average of 21.67 letters to about 20/80.
The Importance of Professional Eye Care
Although AMD is not a life-threatening disease, reduced vision profoundly compromises quality of life and necessitates living assistance for many patients. Early detection and regular monitoring are crucial for managing AMD effectively. This is where having access to experienced eye care professionals becomes essential.
North Shore Advanced Eye Care (NSAEC), serving Suffolk County communities, exemplifies the kind of comprehensive care that AMD patients need. At NSAEC, a distinguished private practice renowned for its cutting-edge technology and personalized approach, Dr. Edward J. Moylan leads a team committed to delivering top-tier primary eye care services tailored to meet each patient’s unique needs and preferences. We believe everyone deserves to see well and have healthy eyes. Our mission is to exceed the expectations of all our patients by creating a warm, fun environment and providing an exceptional level of optometric service to the wonderful people of our community.
What sets practices like NSAEC apart is their commitment to personalized care. If you miss the “home-town” feeling that you’ve come to expect at your visits, come see us. Our office provides quality comprehensive care with a very personal touch. For seniors dealing with AMD, this personal approach can make all the difference in treatment outcomes and quality of life.
Our team of specialists is skilled in managing and treating conditions such as dry eye syndrome, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration. Our approach to treating age-related macular degeneration involves the use of advanced imaging techniques and customized treatment plans to slow the progression of the disease and preserve vision.
Taking Action for Your Vision Health
If you’re a senior concerned about AMD, the most important step you can take is scheduling regular comprehensive eye examinations. Regular eye exams conducted by an optometrist are crucial for everyone, regardless of whether corrective lenses are worn or if vision seems optimal. These exams encompass more than just vision correction; they provide vital insights into overall eye health, detecting issues early for prompt intervention and preserving your vision for years to come.
For residents of Suffolk County seeking expert AMD care, consulting with an experienced eye doctor Suffolk County can provide access to the latest diagnostic technologies and treatment options. At North Shore Advanced Eyecare, we are proud to utilize cutting-edge technology to deliver superior vision care. Our practice is equipped with the latest diagnostic and therapeutic equipment to ensure accurate diagnoses and effective treatments. From digital retinal imaging to optical coherence tomography (OCT), our advanced tools allow us to visualize the eye’s structures in great detail.
Only limited treatments are available for early AMD but preventing or slowing its progression could reduce the burden on the health care system and improve the quality of life of tens of thousands of individuals. Considering the high prevalence of AMD in the community and the likelihood that this will continue to increase into the foreseeable future, general physicians will benefit from an improved understanding of the disease, its epidemiology, prognosis, and treatments.
Don’t wait until vision problems become severe. With new treatments emerging and prevention strategies proven effective, there’s never been a better time to take control of your eye health. Schedule a comprehensive eye examination today and take the first step toward preserving your vision for the years ahead.