Why AMD Is More Common as We Age: The Science Behind It
Aging is beautiful in so many ways, giving us more wisdom, cherished memories, and wonderful life experiences. But it also brings challenges, like changes in our vision. If you’ve noticed blurry spots or difficulty focusing, you’re not alone. Age-related Macular Degeneration (also known as AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss, and its connection to aging is undeniable. Learn more about what AMD is and how it impacts your eyes over time.
What is AMD?
AMD is a condition that affects the macula—the part of your retina responsible for sharp central vision. This condition develops when the macula deteriorates, making everyday tasks such as reading, driving, or recognizing faces more difficult. As we age, natural changes in the macula, such as thinning tissue and the accumulation of waste products, increase the risk of developing AMD.
There are two types of AMD: dry and wet, both of which are influenced by aging.
Dry AMD is the most common form, accounting for about 80 to 90% of cases. It occurs when the macula gradually thins, and small yellow deposits called drusen form beneath your retina. This disrupts the function of retinal cells, leading to a slow decline in central vision. Aging plays a significant role in the development of dry AMD as the body becomes less efficient at repairing and maintaining retinal tissue. While dry AMD typically progresses slowly, it can advance to more severe stages, such as geographic atrophy, which results in irreversible damage to the macula.
Wet AMD is less common but more severe. It develops when aging-related changes, like reduced oxygen supply, trigger the growth of abnormal blood vessels beneath the retina. These fragile blood vessels can leak fluid or blood, causing rapid and significant vision loss. Wet AMD often results from advanced dry AMD, but not everyone with dry AMD will develop wet AMD.
Symptoms of AMD Include:
- Blurry or fuzzy central vision
- Difficulty seeing fine details (such as words on a page)
- Dark or empty spots in your central vision
- Colors might seem less vivid
- Straight lines appearing wavy or distorted (common with wet AMD)
While both forms of AMD are linked to aging, dry AMD is far more common and progresses more gradually. Wet AMD, although less frequent, tends to cause more dramatic vision loss and requires prompt medical intervention.
Aging and the Macula: What Happens Over Time?
The macula, important for tasks like reading and recognizing faces, deteriorates naturally over time. Key changes include:
- Thinning of the retinal tissue: Aging weakens the macula, leading to visual impairment and difficulty seeing fine details.
- Accumulation of drusen: These yellow deposits under the retina interfere with cell function, a hallmark of early AMD and a precursor to dry macular degeneration or advanced AMD with geographic atrophy.
- Abnormal blood vessel growth: In wet AMD, fragile blood vessels form beneath the retina, leaking fluid or blood and causing rapid vision loss.
The Role of Oxidative Stress
Aging introduces oxidative stress, where free radicals damage retinal cells. This accelerates AMD by reducing antioxidant defenses (the body struggles to protect the retina from damage). Additionally, decades of UV and blue light exposure contribute to retinal cell degeneration.
Chronic Inflammation and Immune Response
Aging eyes often experience low-grade chronic inflammation, a significant risk factor for AMD. This inflammation disrupts the macula by triggering immune system activity that damages healthy cells and slows the removal of drusen and other waste products, which contributes to both dry macular degeneration and wet AMD.
Reduced Circulation and Nutrient Delivery
The retina relies on the choroid, a network of blood vessels, to provide oxygen and nutrients. Aging decreases the blood flow, which hinders nutrient delivery to the macula and increases the likelihood of irreversible vision loss.
How To Protect Your Vision
While aging itself is unavoidable, steps can be taken to protect your vision and support your eye health:
- Protect your eyes from UV light: Wear sunglasses to minimize cumulative damage to your retina.
- Manage your overall health: Conditions like high blood pressure and cholesterol are risk factors for AMD, so addressing these can support macular function.
- Eat antioxidant-rich foods: Nutrients like lutein and zeaxanthin can potentially slow the progression of macular degeneration.
- Meet with Your Eye Doctor: An eye doctor can evaluate your eyes and provide you with guidance on reducing your chances of developing AMD or slowing the progression of AMD if it already exists.
Get Treatment For AMD with The Center for Retina and Macular Disease
If you’re experiencing symptoms of AMD, The Center for Retina and Macular Disease offers advanced treatments to help manage the condition and preserve your vision. For dry AMD, treatments focus on slowing progression, such as nutritional supplements rich in antioxidants and monitoring for signs of progression to wet AMD. For wet AMD, options include anti-VEGF injections to stop abnormal blood vessel growth and treatments like photodynamic therapy to target leaky blood vessels.