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Age-Related Macular Degeneration Fact Sheet

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Central vision deteriorates with AMD

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Clear vision

What is age-related macular degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of severe vision impairment in older Australians.

AMD occurs when central vision deteriorates, making reading, close work and recognising faces more difficult.

The most common forms of the condition are Dry and Wet AMD. Dry AMD results in a gradual loss of central vision and Wet AMD leads to sudden and significant changes in vision.

What are the symptoms?

Common signs associated with AMD include:

Who is at risk?

Those most at risk of developing AMD are people with a family history of the condition, people over the age of 75 and smokers.

Can it be treated?

There is currently no cure for age related macular degeneration (ARMD) but treatments are available that are aimed at maintaining the vision for as long as possible.

The most important consideration is establishing an accurate diagnosis - see an eye doctor about this.

Dry ARMD

The dry form of ARMD is the most common and least treatable. There are however research projects in Australia and overseas working on halting or slowing the progress of dry ARMD.

One study in Melbourne is looking at using laser to eliminate drusen (fatty deposits on the retina) - an early sign of ARMD. International research continues to suggest the vitamin supplements - particularly zincs, Vitamins C, E and beta carotene are important in reducing the risk of ARMD. Please discuss this with your eye specialist.

Wet ARMD

There are now a number of treatments for wet ARMD. Treatment in most cases does not restore vision but aims to reduce the progression of the disease and prevent further loss of vision. In most of the treatments the desired outcome is to prevent the growth of new abnormal blood vessels in the retina (neovascularisation)

Some of the methods used to prevent this regrowth include:

  1. Lucentis (ranibizumab) This is a regular injection into the eyeball of a drug which disrupts the growth of the new vessels. Injections are generally every 4 weeks but there are world wide studies into the frequency of injections to maintain vision. Lucentis treatment may be available under Pharmacueutical Benefits Scheme (PBS ) depending on the age of the patient and the site of the lesion.
  2. Avastin. This is a drug like Lucentis but not specifically designed for intra ocular use. Some doctors use Avastin for patients who are not eligible for Lucentis under the PBS guidelines, as it is much cheaper.
  3. Laser Photocoagulation. In certain cases, where a new blood vessel has grown under the retina and is bleeding or leaking, laser treatment can be used to cauterise the blood vessel and prevent further loss of vision. This type of laser does damage the retina itself and will always leave a 'blind spot' near or even involving the centre of vision. The main problem with this type of treatment is that the new blood vessels tend to regrow in up to 50% of cases within the first 6-12 months.
  4. Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)/Visudyne This treatment combines the use of a drug Visudyne which is injected intravenously, and a laser which seals off the leaking blood vessels. Usually this occurs over several treatments.

Research projects

There are also a number of research projects that may lead to the elimination of vision loss from ARMD. They include

Visit your eye specialist

Any advice about treatment for ARMD should be sought from your eye specialist.

If you notice any sudden change in your vision you need to contact your eye specialist and seek advice.

Related information


This page last updated: 25 August 2010

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