What is AMD?

AMD is a chronic eye disease that is more common with ageing. It makes your vision blurry and can cause loss of vision in the middle of what you see (known as centra l vision loss). This can make it hard to drive, read or see people's faces. It can also lead to severe vision loss or blindness.

What are the symptoms of AMD?

At first you may not notice any symptoms of AMD. That's why regular eye tests are essential. Even if you don't notice any change in your vision.

Common symptoms include:

• gradual or sudden worsening in your vision
• difficulty reading even with glasses
• distortion, seeing wavy lines that appear bent
• dark patches in the centre of your vision
• difficulty seeing faces clearly
• needing brighter light to read
• decreased night vision and colour vision

AMD is usually painless, so you might not feel any discomfort even as your vision changes.

What causes AMD?

AMD occurs when cells in the central part of the retina, known as the macula, become damaged.

Types of AMD

There are two main types of AMD:

• Dry— develops slowly and causes gradual vision loss. It happens due to gradual loss of cells in your retina. It is the most common type.
• Wet— leads to rapid loss of central vision. It happens when abnormal blood vessels grow into your macula and leak blood and fluid. This is the most serious type.

Factors that increase your risk of AMD include:

• older age — about 1 in 7 people over the age of 50 years show signs of AMD
• smoking — you are 3 to 4 times more likely to develop AMD if you smoke
• family history — if your parent or sibling has AMD, you have a 1 in 2 risk of getting it too

When should I see my doctor?

It's important to see your doctor if you experience any changes in your vision, such as:

• blurry vision
• straight lines starting to look wavy or bent
• difficulty recognising faces
• needing more light to read or see things clearly
• reduced night vision

If you notice any of these symptoms, make an appointment with an eye doctor right away.

How is AMD diagnosed?

An optometrist or ophthalmologist will check your vision. They will look at the back of your eyes using a special tool. You may need special tests including:

• Retinal photography — your health provider can take a detailed photo of the back of your eye (retina) using a special camera. This can help provide an image for comparison, so they can identify any future changes in your retina.
• Angiogram of your eyes — this is where a dye is injected into a vein in your arm. This dye will highlight blood vessels in your eyes and help your doctor identify any leaks or abnormal growths.
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) — this scan takes detailed pictures of your retina. It helps the doctor see any damage or changes.

These tests help doctors diagnose AMD and understand how severe it is.

How is AMD treated?

There is no cure for AMD, but there are treatments available for some types.

There are treatments for wet AMD that work well. Regular injections of medicines called anti-VEGF medications into your eye can prevent further vision loss. At first, you may need these injections monthly. Later, you may need them less frequently. These medicines can help you retain your vision for longer.

There are no treatments available for dry AMD, but a healthy diet and regular exercise can slow the disease's worsening. Some eye specialists also recommend certain vitamin supplements.

What are the complications of AMD?

AMD can lead to several serious complications, including:

• severe vision loss
• blindness
• difficulty performing daily activities

Can AMD be prevented?

AMD can't be prevented, but regular eye tests can help catch any early signs of the disease and allow for early treatment. This is especially important if you have a family history of AMD.

Medicare covers eye tests done by optometrists for all Australian permanent residents. You don't need a doctor's referral to see an optometrist for an eye test.

Your doctor can also show you how to monitor your vision at home using an Amsler grid. This grid helps you notice early changes in your vision.

You may be able to lower your risk or slow down vision loss with healthy lifestyle choices such as:

• not smoking
• eating a diet rich in fruit, vegetables and omega-3 fats
• maintaining a healthy weight
• exercising regularly

Resources and support

For more information and help with AMD:

• Visit Vision Australia to learn more about AMD and how to take care of your eyes.
• The Macular Disease Foundation website has useful information on nutrition for eye health.
• You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Do you prefer to read in languages other than English?

Macular Disease Foundation Australia offers translated information on AMD in several languages.