Patient Center Resources for Patients with AMD

Introduction

Living with Late Stage AMD

Clinical Trials

AMD Facts

FAQ

Central Vision Impairment

Disorders of the macula, a small central area of the back of the eye (retina) responsible for central vision, are common causes of vision impairment and legal blindness.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common macular disorder affecting over 15 million people in the U.S. alone.

About AMD

AMD is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss and legal blindness in individuals over the age of 50. AMD causes the macula to break down and degenerate, resulting in gradual or sudden loss of central or "straight ahead" vision. Although people with AMD do not generally go completely blind, many find it difficult to read, recognize people, drive, and perform other daily functions that require central vision. Side or "peripheral" vision is rarely affected.

There are two types of AMD -- "dry" and "wet."

Dry (atrophic) AMD accounts for approximately 90% of all AMD cases. Dry AMD is usually evident as a collection of small, white-yellow fatty deposits called drusen, which accumulate under the macula. This condition results in degeneration of the macula from the aging and thinning of macular tissue. Late stage dry AMD is called geographic atrophy. This condition accounts for many of the new cases of legal blindness due to AMD each year in the US. It is also responsible for a significant portion of permanent vision impairment associated with AMD. There are currently no accepted therapies for dry AMD.

Wet (exudative) AMD is caused by the growth of abnormal blood vessels, or choroidal neovascularization (CNV), under the macula. These abnormal vessels are fragile and leak fluid and blood under the macula, resulting in scarring of the macula. Wet AMD develops in only 10 to 15% percent of individuals with AMD, but usually dramatically affects vision. The end stage of wet AMD is called disciform scar and is often associated with permanent central vision loss. Current and investigational therapies for wet AMD focus on slowing or halting the progression of the disease and include laser photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy (PDT), and investigational anti-angiogenesis drug therapies injected into or in back of the eye. There are currently no accepted therapies for end stage (disciform scar) wet AMD.

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