Macular Degeneration
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
AMD is the leading cause of vision loss in Americans over 50. Central vision is progressively lost — affecting reading, driving, and face recognition.
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Signs & Symptoms
- Blurred or distorted central vision
- Straight lines appearing wavy (Amsler grid distortion)
- Dark or blank spot in central vision
- Colors appearing less vibrant
- Need for brighter lighting
What Causes This?
- Age — AMD rarely occurs before 55
- Genetics — family history is a major risk factor
- Smoking — doubles the risk of AMD
- UV exposure over a lifetime
- Cardiovascular disease
11M
Americans have AMD
10x
More common in smokers
Treatment Options
AREDS2 Vitamins
Antioxidant supplement reducing intermediate AMD progression by 25%.
Anti-VEGF Injections (Wet AMD)
Avastin, Lucentis, Eylea — injections prevent wet AMD from causing severe vision loss.
Lifestyle Modification
Smoking cessation, UV protection, and healthy diet slow AMD progression.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a cure for macular degeneration?
No cure exists for AMD — but treatment significantly slows progression. Wet AMD anti-VEGF injections prevent severe vision loss in most treated patients.
Related Topics
Concerned About Your Eye Health?
Schedule a comprehensive eye exam with Dr. Kentaro Yamada, M.D. at Hillcrest Eye Care.