Did you know about 200,000 new cases of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are diagnosed in North America every year? AMD is one of the leading causes of vision loss and blindness, especially in people over 50.
If you or a loved one have recently been diagnosed with macular degeneration, this article will help you navigate the first steps to take in your planning.
In this article, Ability Central rounds up the most important steps to take after receiving a macular degeneration diagnosis. We answer questions like:
Which doctors treat macular degeneration?
How is macular degeneration treated?
What nutritional supplements are used to treat macular degeneration?
What medications are used to treat macular degeneration?
What is laser therapy for macular degeneration?
What is a macular hole, and what can be done about it?
What changes can I make at home to help with macular degeneration?
How can I help a loved one recently diagnosed with macular degeneration?
Where can I get more information about macular degeneration?
Which doctors treat macular degeneration?
Because macular degeneration directly affects the eyes, you are most likely to receive AMD treatment from an eye doctor, usually a type of ophthalmologist called a retina specialist.
Doctors involved in your AMD care might include:
Optometrists, to keep track of any vision changes through regular eye tests.
Ophthalmologists, physicians who specialize in medical care for the eyes. Some ophthalmologists can also perform surgeries like AMD-related laser therapy.
Retina specialists, a type of ophthalmologist who specializes in diseases and conditions that affect the retina or vitreous.
Typically, your regular eye doctor, if they’re not already qualified to treat AMD, will refer you to a doctor who specializes in this type of eye condition.
If you’re not sure how to get started with finding a doctor, check out the Ability Central Service Locator tool. This nationwide database offers listings for nonprofits and community organizations who work with people with eye diseases, vision disabilities, and more.
How is macular degeneration treated?
Macular degeneration treatment depends on the type of AMD you have, how much the disease has progressed, and when you were diagnosed. While there is no cure for macular degeneration, people who get early diagnosis and treatment are more likely to keep their central vision for as long as possible.
The goals of macular degeneration treatment are to preserve your central vision, reduce any fluid buildup or pressure, and slow the progression of the disease.
There are three main treatments for macular degeneration:
Nutritional supplements
Medication
Laser therapy
What nutritional supplements are used to treat macular degeneration?
For people with dry AMD, certain nutritional supplements can help slow the disease’s progression and protect central vision for as long as possible. Doctors recommend a combination of vitamins and minerals.
Vitamin C and Vitamin E, antioxidants that protect your cells from free radicals (molecules that appear when the body encounters food, tobacco smoke, radiation, etc.).
Lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids linked to eye health and improved light filtration. Both lutein and zeaxanthin appear naturally in our eyes, but supplements can boost production and processing.
Zinc, a mineral that helps the body’s immune system and metabolism function properly.
Copper, a mineral that helps your body make red blood cells, supports the immune system, and protects nerve cells.
Always speak to your doctor before starting or stopping a new supplement, as many supplements can interact with medications you might be taking for other conditions.
What medications are used to treat macular degeneration?
Medications, often in the form of injections, are typically used to treat wet AMD. The most common are anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections, which block the protein that creates new blood vessels.
After numbing, anti-VEGF injections go into the vitreous, the fluid-filled sac that protects the eye (also known as the “whites of the eyes”). This can help reduce the amount of fluid built up behind the retina, improving your vision.
What is laser therapy for macular degeneration?
Laser therapy is an option for people with advanced wet AMD. In wet AMD, abnormal blood vessels leak blood and fluid into the retina, damaging the macula. Certain laser therapies can target these blood vessels, breaking them down and draining the excess fluid.
Laser therapies for macular degeneration include:
Photodynamic therapy (PDT), a combination of injections and laser targeting, often paired with anti-VEGF shots.
Laser photocoagulation, which uses a laser to seal and destroy leaking blood vessels.
Laser therapies aren’t as popular as anti-VEGF injections, because they can lead to side effects like:
Eye infections.
Retinal detachment, an injury that causes the retina to “float” away from the rest of the eye.
Structural eye damage, which can cause other vision problems.
A higher risk of cataracts.
Severe vision loss.
What is a macular hole, and what can be done about it?
A macular hole is a small gap in the macula, the part of the retina responsible for central vision. Macular holes can result from injuries or complications from surgery.
A macular hole can cause:
Blurred or distorted vision
Straight lines to appear wavy or bowed
Difficulty reading small print
Blind spots in the center of your vision
Macular holes can be treated through a surgery called a vitrectomy, but like many diseases and conditions, early intervention is critical for success. If you’re worried that your AMD symptoms might be linked to a macular hole, make an appointment with your ophthalmologist right away.
What changes can I make at home to help with macular degeneration?
Much of navigating a new macular degeneration diagnosis involves updating your living space to make sure you can go about your daily routines as safely and independently as possible. For example, decluttering and organizing your living space can help reduce tripping hazards and make day-to-day tasks easier to handle.
The Eye Care Institute offers these recommendations:
Use bright colors, like signage or color-coded tape, to identify exits, stairwells, harsh edges, and other hazards.
Install handrails and grab bars on stairs, in bathrooms, and in hallways.
Mark changes in floor level with bright, reflective materials.
Use tactile stickers to mark objects with levels, like heat levels on a stove or shower.
Invest in a cell phone or smart device equipped for life with vision loss, with built-in features like speech-to-text software and visual customization. For more information about a wide range of accessible smart devices for people with vision disabilities, check out the Ability Central Device Finder.
Part of prepping your home involves prepping for the future. If vision loss gets in the way of living a safe, fulfilled life, consider long-term care options. Learn more about assisted living facilities and more in Long-term Care for Macular Degeneration: Funding, Support, and More.
How can I help a loved one recently diagnosed with macular degeneration?
A new macular degeneration diagnosis can be frightening, confusing, and frustrating, not just for the person living with AMD but for their friends and family members, too. If you or someone you know has recently been diagnosed with macular degeneration, it’s important to understand as much as possible about the disease and your options.
Macular degeneration is a progressive disease with no cure, which means that people living with AMD may need more assistance as time goes on. It can be difficult to ask for help, but it can also be difficult to know how much help to offer without getting in the way.
Health Union recommends taking the following steps to help a loved one with macular degeneration:
Ask your loved one whether they need help, what kind of help they need, and how much help they want. Never assume.
Educate yourself about macular degeneration and your loved one’s unique diagnosis. Reading this article is a great start!
Check in often, whether that means regular phone calls or swinging by their house to see how they’re doing.
Encourage them to connect with a local support group or community organization. Many doctors’ offices offer local referral networks, but you can also use tools like the Ability Central Service Locator tool to get a head start.
Offer to accompany them to doctors’ appointments, as a driver or simply as moral support.
Help your loved one make changes around the house that make life easier with AMD. Maximizing independence can be a great way to keep someone’s mental health and self-esteem high during challenging times.
Where can I get more information about macular degeneration?
To learn more about macular degeneration, check out the rest of our series about the disease:
Macular Degeneration: Early Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Long-term Care for Macular Degeneration: Funding, Support, and More
For more information about eye diseases, vision loss, and other vision-related conditions, check out:
Do I Have Cataracts? Cloudy Vision, Faded Colors, and Other Symptoms of Cataracts
What is Usher Syndrome? Facts About Genetic Vision and Hearing Los
Additional Information
The content provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for legal, medical, or other professional advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date resources, some information may become outdated or incomplete. Always consult with your provider about personal medical concerns.
