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Macular degeneration: check-ups, care and what to expect

The macula is a small area at the centre of the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. It gives the sharp central vision you use to read, thread a needle, see a phone screen and recognise faces. In age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the macula is slowly damaged. AMD does not cause total blindness, because side vision stays, but it can make reading and recognising people very hard. For other retina care, see retina and diabetic eye care in Vasco.

What are the symptoms of macular degeneration?

• blurred central vision, so that reading or seeing faces becomes difficult
• straight lines, such as door frames, window bars or lines of print, looking wavy or bent
• a dark, grey or empty patch in the centre of what you are looking at
• needing much more light to read
• colours looking faded

AMD often starts in one eye. The other eye makes up for it, so many people notice nothing until the second eye is affected. Covering each eye in turn and looking at a straight line is a simple way to notice a change.

What is the difference between dry and wet AMD?

Dry AMD is the common form. Small yellow deposits (drusen) build up under the macula and the tissue thins slowly. Vision usually changes over years. There is no treatment that reverses it, but check-ups, healthy habits and low-vision aids help.

Wet AMD is less common but more urgent. Abnormal blood vessels grow under the macula and leak fluid or blood, and central vision can be lost within weeks or months. Wet AMD is treated with injections into the eye, which can often slow or stop the damage, and the sooner they start, the more sight can usually be kept. Dry AMD can turn into wet AMD at any time, which is why new distortion or a new dark patch needs to be checked within a day or two.

Who is at risk?

• Age: AMD is uncommon before 50 and becomes more common with each decade after that.
• Smoking: the biggest risk you can change. Stopping smoking lowers the risk at any age.
• Family history: AMD in a parent, brother or sister raises your risk.
• Heart and blood-vessel health: high blood pressure and high cholesterol are linked with AMD.

How is macular degeneration checked at ReNew Vision?

1. Your vision is tested for distance and near, one eye at a time.
2. You may be asked to look at an Amsler grid, a square of straight lines with a dot in the centre, to see whether any lines look wavy or missing.
3. Drops are put in to widen the pupils, and the eye doctor examines the macula and the rest of the retina.
4. The eye doctor explains whether there is AMD, which form it is, and what happens next.

A retina scan (OCT) is often used to confirm wet AMD and to plan injection treatment. OCT scans are not done at ReNew Vision. If you need one, the eye doctor will tell you and explain the next step, which is usually part of the referral for treatment.

Dilating drops blur vision for a few hours, so bring someone to take you home.

What does macular degeneration care at ReNew Vision include?

• Diagnosis and a clear explanation of the form and stage of AMD in each eye.
• Regular check-ups, at intervals the eye doctor advises.
• Home checks with an Amsler grid, so that you notice a change early.
• Advice on habits that help: stopping smoking, a diet rich in green leafy vegetables, fruit and fish, and controlling blood pressure.
• Prompt referral for injections if wet AMD is found. Eye injections are not given at ReNew Vision. After treatment, your check-ups can continue here.
• Low-vision aids from our Vision Correction Centre: magnifiers, strong reading spectacles and lighting advice; see low-vision aids.
• Spectacles with an up-to-date power. They will not cure AMD, but the right power helps you use the vision you have.

How do I use an Amsler grid at home?

1. Hold the grid at your normal reading distance, in good light, wearing your reading spectacles.
2. Cover one eye.
3. Look only at the dot in the centre.
4. Notice whether any lines look wavy, bent, blurred or missing, or whether there is a dark patch.
5. Repeat with the other eye.

Do this regularly, as the eye doctor advises. If something new appears, or the grid looks different from last time, call 072489 88039 and come in within a day or two. A sudden change in vision should be seen the same day; emergency eye care at ReNew Vision is available 24 hours. See eye emergency.

Should I take vitamins for macular degeneration?

In large studies, a particular combination of vitamins and minerals lowered the risk of progression in some people with intermediate or advanced AMD. It does not help people with no AMD or very early AMD, it does not cure AMD, and some formulas are not suitable for smokers or former smokers. Ask the eye doctor before you buy any supplement, and tell your physician what you take.

Can I still read, drive and live independently?

Most people with AMD keep their side vision and can look after themselves at home. Things that help:

• bright, even lighting aimed at what you are doing
• large print, a large-display phone and the phone's text-size and read-aloud settings
• magnifiers chosen for your vision and your tasks
• strong colour contrast at home, such as a light cup on a dark tray and tape on the edge of steps

Driving depends on your central vision in both eyes. Ask the eye doctor whether your vision meets the standard, and stop driving at night first if glare or dim light is a problem. Families can help by reading small print aloud and keeping the home well lit; the eye check-ups described on eye check-up in Vasco are a good time to bring a family member along.

How do I book?

ReNew Vision Eye Hospital, 2nd floor, Pai Hospital building, Vaddem Merces Road, Vaddem, Vasco da Gama. Eye OPD Monday to Saturday, 4 pm to 7 pm. Call or WhatsApp 072489 88039. Bring your spectacles, your medicine list, any reports or scans from earlier visits, and someone to take you home. Directions are on the visit page.

Questions patients ask

Can macular degeneration be cured?

No treatment reverses AMD. Dry AMD is watched with regular check-ups, healthy habits and low-vision aids. Wet AMD is treated with eye injections, which can often slow or stop the damage, especially when started early.

Are eye injections for macular degeneration given at ReNew Vision?

No. ReNew Vision diagnoses AMD, does the check-ups and refers you promptly if injections are needed for wet AMD. Your check-ups can continue here after treatment.

How do I use an Amsler grid?

Hold it at reading distance in good light with your reading spectacles on, cover one eye and look at the centre dot. Note any wavy, blurred or missing lines, then check the other eye. Come in within a day or two if anything is new.

Will I go blind from macular degeneration?

AMD does not cause total blindness, because side vision stays. It can make reading and recognising faces difficult, and low-vision aids and good lighting help you use the vision you have.

Should I take vitamins for macular degeneration?

A particular vitamin and mineral combination helped some people with intermediate or advanced AMD in large studies, but it is not for everyone and some formulas do not suit smokers. Ask the eye doctor before you buy any supplement.

This page is general eye-health information, not personal medical advice. Your eye doctor advises you after examining your eyes.