Module 6 - FAQ's Flashcards
“I have dry eye, is it the same as dry AMD?”
Dry eye is a condition that affects the front of the eye, and can be a chronic condition that causes vision changes and irritation. “Dry” AMD affects the back of the eye and is painless.
“Is there a cure for AMD?” “Is there a treatment for dry AMD?”
Unfortunately, there is no cure for AMD. Prevention and early detection is important to reduce the risk of the disease progressing (regular eye exams at HCP and using Amsler, healthy diet, healthy lifestyle).
Wet AMD (a late stage of the disease) is the only treatable stage. Treatment is an injection into the eye that delivers an anti-VEGF drug to the macula. This (1) stops the collection of blood and fluid in the macula, and (2) the growth of new blood vessels, the cause of the bleeding. Clinical trials to treat the other stages of AMD are underway, including gene therapy and 2RT laser therapy.
“What is the best brand of supplements for AMD?” “I am at risk of AMD, can I take supplements?” “Are supplements a substitute for a healthy diet?”
There are many different supplements for AMD. MDFA supports any supplements that conform to the AREDS2 (Age-related Eye Disease Study 2) formulation.
AREDS2 supplements were shown to be effective on people who have intermediate stage AMD in one or both eyes, OR late stage AMD in one eye only. Any other combination of AMD or being at risk of AMD has not been shown to benefit from the supplements.
Supplements that conform to the AREDS2 formula should be taken in conjunction with a healthy diet. Individual supplementation for select nutrients and antioxidants may be helpful if there is not a sufficient intake through the foods. However, where possible, the natural source of the nutrients should be prioritised. Studies have indicated that fish oil tablets (omega 3) and vit C tablets, for example, do not have the same benefit to AMD compared to eating foods with these nutrients.
“I’ve been told my AMD is dry, does this mean I have late stage?”
The way we talk about AMD has changed, and some health care professionals may still refer to AMD as wet or dry. Now, we refer to the disease as early, intermediate and late stage (remember late stage can mean either dry or wet). It’s best to confirm the stage of AMD with your health care professional.
Note: it is possible for a patient to have both wet and dry changes. If you have been told you have “dry AMD”, there is still the possibility that wet changes may occur, and vice versa.
“Will I go completely blind from AMD?”
The macula is located in the centre of your retina at the back of the eye and is responsible for detailed central vision, as well as your colour vision.
As AMD progresses, you may notice changes to your central vision. Even at its worst stage, AMD will not lead to total black blindness, as you will always have your peripheral (side) vision intact.
“Will reading glasses help me see better with AMD?”
Unfortunately, reading glasses will not help improve your vision with AMD. Prescription glasses can assist in bending light to focus an image onto your retina; however, it cannot correct for any macular damage that is caused by AMD.
Those experiencing vision loss from AMD may benefit from using a magnifying glass for near work tasks.
“How do I know if I have AMD?”
You can have early signs of AMD without knowing, which is why it’s so important to have regular eye examinations, including a check of the macula.
During the early and intermediate stages, you may not notice any symptoms. However, as the disease progresses, symptoms may appear and can include one or more of the following:
- difficulty reading or any other activity which requires fine vision (despite wearing glasses)
- distortion, where straight lines may appear wavy or bent
- difficulty distinguishing faces
- dark or blurred patches in the centre of your vision.
If you experience any changes in vision, never dismiss this as just part of getting older. The earlier a diagnosis is made, the better. It’s essential to have an eye examination including a check of your macula by an eye health professional (optometrist or ophthalmologist) with regular follow-up according to their recommendation.
“I was told having my cataracts done will worsen my AMD. Is this true?”
A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens inside the eye and is very common in older people.
Cataract surgery does not appear to contribute to the worsening of AMD.
Sometimes, dense cataracts can mask the symptoms of AMD. When these dense cataracts are removed and replaced with new artificial intraocular lenses (or IOLs), the clarity of the final vision depends on the severity of any underlying AMD. In addition, the symptoms of AMD, such as distortion or blurring, can become more obvious once a cataract is removed. Because of this, some people have mistakenly concluded that the surgery made the AMD worse.
“Do I have to see an ophthalmologist to have my macula checked?”
No, for a standard eye check, you can visit your local optometrist. They will usually conduct tests for all the major eye conditions affecting older Australians. If you would like more information, you can always ask the optometrist questions such as “how is my macula?” or “do I have any signs of cataracts/glaucoma?”
If your optometrist decides a visit to the ophthalmologist is needed, they will provide you with a referral.
