What is AMD?
What is AMD?
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease, specifically affecting the retina.
This is a degradation of the macula*.
The macula is the central part of the retina. It is visible on the retina and appears as a yellow spot. It is an area very rich in cones (photoreceptor cells capable of interpreting colors) which allows for daytime vision with maximum detail. At the center of the macula is an even more efficient area: the fovea, the central area of vision, where visual acuity is highest and which serves to "focus" the gaze.
It affects people over 50 and leads to a progressive deterioration of vision.
What is the prevalence of AMD?
It affects approximately 8% of the general population, but its prevalence increases with age, reaching up to 30% of people over 75 years old.
How does AMD progress?
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) begins with a phase of macular degeneration that is usually asymptomatic. It is visible during eye examinations (fundus examination) where an alteration in retinal pigmentation can be observed.
This early phase can then progress to AMD proper. AMD causes irreversible damage to the macula with a profound impairment of visual function: degradation/loss of central vision.
What are the different forms of AMD?
AMD exists in two forms:
- Dried
- Humid
The dry form is the most common; the wet form, which is rarer, develops more rapidly.
Dry or atrophic AMD accounts for 80% of cases and is caused by a metabolic disorder, leading to the degradation of macula cells (retinal pigment epithelium and cones). The result is the formation of holes in the retina. These areas no longer allow the reception of light information and are therefore "blind."
The wet or exudative form results from the formation of new blood vessels under the retina, leading to obstruction, retinal detachment, and hemorrhages. The progression can be very rapid, resulting in central vision loss within a few months.
Most of the time AMD initially affects only one eye but it is likely to progress to affect the second eye over time (45% risk at 5 years).
What are the symptoms of AMD?
At first the disease is subtle and the symptoms may go unnoticed because the disease usually only affects one eye.
Symptoms include:
- Sensitivity to bright lights
- A decrease in contrast perception
- A distortion of the vertical lines
- A sensation of distortion of objects
- Difficulties performing fine tasks and reading difficulties
- A decrease in visual acuity
- Dark spots (scotomas) and altered color perception
If you experience one or more of these symptoms, it is urgent to consult an ophthalmologist . It is recommended to have your vision checked regularly and undergo an eye examination, especially after the age of 50.
Above is the Amsler grid
To test your vision, you can perform a test yourself using the Amsler grid:
- Perform the test eye by eye
- Hold the grid at a reading distance
- Fix the central point
If distorted lines, holes, uneven squares or broken lines are visible, it is urgent to consult an ophthalmologist .
What are the causes of AMD?
The main risk factor is age. Then come genetic predispositions: the risks of developing AMD are higher if cases are already present in the immediate family.
Other factors increase the risk of AMD, including:
- Smoking (increases risk up to 6x)
- Obesity (risk x2)
- Unbalanced or deficient diet
- Exposure to blue light radiation (risk not determined)
What are the treatments and prevention methods for AMD?
The dry form of AMD is not treatable; only the wet form can benefit from treatment.
Treatments aim to block the formation of new blood vessels using injections of inhibitors of growth factors of these vessels (anti-VEGF - Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor).
These treatments can limit the progression of the disease but cannot restore the damaged parts.
Treatments are being developed, ranging from artificial retinas to gene therapy, but none are currently usable in humans.
It is possible to participate in the prevention of AMD and the limitation of its development by adopting hygiene and dietary measures:
- Quitting smoking
- Engage in physical activity
- Avoid overweight and obesity if possible
- Adopt a balanced diet
- Increase your omega-3 intake
- Increase consumption of vegetables rich in lutein, zeaxanthin and carotenoids
- Monitor and consume antioxidants, zinc and selenium as needed.
The AREDS studies have notably shown that specific dietary supplements, rich in carotenoids (lutein for example) were able to slow the progression of the disease.
It is also demonstrated that a good dietary intake of carotenoid pigments is beneficial to the maintenance of a functional retina.
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At Phytocea , based on numerous scientific studies on the subject, we have developed ORetine , a high-quality supplement that provides an optimal intake of lutein and astaxanthin, carotenoid pigments necessary for maintaining a healthy retina. The formula doesn't stop there; it also contains many vitamins and nutrients to support normal vision.
We recommend using ORetine and Omega+ (natural Omega 3 concentrated in DHA) together, which are available in the Vision+ Box , for maximum effectiveness.
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