Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Macular Degeneration is an age-related degenerative disease of the macula. The macula is a small area at the very centre of your retina which is responsible for fine, detailed central visual tasks such as reading. By damaging the macula, AMD can slowly take away your central vision. Unless detected in a routine eye exam, you may not even realize that you have the disease until it reaches an advanced stage.

Dry AMD

The most common form of AMD is the dry form. In the early stages of dry AMD, tiny deposits called drusen start appearing within the retina. These drusen may be so insignificant that the patient has few, if any, outwards symptoms and no vision loss. As dry AMD progresses, more drusen appear and as the size of drusen increases, patients may begin to notice a small dark spot in their central vision while reading or driving.

Wet AMD

A more serious form of AMD is called the wet form. In wet AMD, abnormal blood vessels begin to form underneath the retina. These abnormal blood vessels are delicate and may bleed or leak fluid. This fluid builds up beneath the retina causing it to bulge or lift up from the back of the eye. This causes the central vision to become blurred, wavy, or distorted. Wet AMD can progress rapidly and, if not caught early, can cause significant amounts of vision loss.

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How is AMD Diagnosed?

The best way to diagnose this disease is through routine eye exams with your retinal specialist. Dr. Patodia also offers specialized tests which determine if there are signs of AMD.

Intravenous Fluorescein Angiography (IVFA)

Fluorescein angiography is a diagnostic procedure which uses a special camera to take a series of photographs of the retina – the light sensitive tissue in the back of the eye.

A special water-soluble dye (fluorescein) is injected into a vein in the hand. The dye then travels through the veins and into the arteries, which circulate throughout the body.

As the dye passes through the blood vessels of the choroid and retina, the photographer takes a series of images in rapid succession. This allows the doctor to see signs of circulation problems, swelling, leakage, or abnormal blood vessel formation.

Heidelberg Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (Spectralis™ OCT)

The Spectralis™OCT is a laser imaging system which allows the doctor to see a 3-D image of the internal structure of the retina. This non-invasive test takes only a few minutes to preform, offering our patients the best, state of the art retina diagnostics in the world today.

Treatment

Lucentis™ Intravitreal Injection

Lucentis works by inhibiting the growth of the abnormal blood vessels that cause AMD. It is also used to treat swelling of the macula due to AMD. The goal of treatment is to prevent further loss of vision. Although some patients have regained vision, the medication may not restore vision that has already been lost.

Eylea® Intravitreal Injection

Eylea is used to treat wet age-related macular degeneration. It is also used to treat swelling in the retina caused by a blockage in the blood vessels. Eylea is also used to treat diabetic retinopathy, an eye disorder in diabetics that can lead to a buildup of fluid in the retina and cause blindness.