Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that causes central vision blurring. It occurs when the macula — the eye region that regulates sharp, straight-ahead vision — is damaged due to ageing. The macula is the light-sensitive tissue in the centre of the retina at the back of the eye. It is best to visit your trusted eye doctor at a reputable Singapore clinic at the first sign of AMD.
Dry AMD and wet AMD are the two types that a person might develop.
Dry AMD
The most frequent type of age related macular degeneration the aged population in Singapore experiences is dry, which is less dangerous. The dry form of macular degeneration affects about 85-90 per cent of people. Most people will have minor vision loss and an abundance of big, soft drusen in their retina.
The dry type might develop over time and lead to central vision loss if not effectively treated by an eye specialist in Singapore. It occurs as the macula thins with age. There are three stages of dry AMD: early, middle, and late. It takes several years to progress.
There are three stages to age-related macular degeneration. They are as follows:
- Early AMD – In the early stages of the disease, people do not lose their vision. A comprehensive eye exam at your trusted eye clinic in Singapore may be able to detect the signs. Early detection is critical to initiate treatments that may halt the disease’s course.
- Intermediate AMD – There may be some vision loss in the mid-stages of AMD, but not enough to cause concern. Visiting a trusted eye doctor in Singapore can point out changes in the retina during a complete eye checkup.
- Late-stage AMD – People begin to lose their central vision as the disease progresses.
Remedies
Although there is no cure for late dry AMD, there are strategies to make the most of your remaining eyesight. You can take actions to slow vision loss even if you’ve been diagnosed with dry macular degeneration.
– Stop Smoking. Talk to your doctor about quitting. It will help slow or prevent the progression of the disease.
– Eat Healthily. Antioxidant vitamins found in fruits and vegetables help to keep your eyes healthy. Foods with a high zinc content may be especially beneficial. It is also best to get protein from high-protein meals such as cattle, pigs, and lamb. Omega-3 fatty acid-rich diets may reduce the incidence of progressive age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
– Regulate Other Conditions Well. Take your medicine on time and follow your doctor, especially if you have a condition you have cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure.
– Keep a healthy weight with regular exercise. Reduce the number of calories you consume and increase the quantity of activity you get each day to lose weight.
– Routinely examine your eyes. Inquire with your trusted eye doctor at a Singapore eye clinic about the suggested follow-up exam schedule. You can use an Amsler grid to self-assess your vision in between exams. These measures can help determine if your condition progresses to wet macular degeneration that is treatable with medication.
There is no cure for age related dry macular degeneration in Singapore or worldwide. However, numerous clinical trials are currently underway. If you get your diagnosis early enough, you can make efforts to delay the progression of your illness, such as taking vitamin supplements, eating a healthy diet, and not smoking.
Wet AMD
Wet AMD is a less frequent type of late AMD that causes visual loss more quickly. It is also known as advanced neovascular AMD. Wet AMD can develop at any stage of dry AMD, although it is always late. It is a less prevalent but more dangerous kind of macular degeneration. The formation of aberrant blood vessels at the back of the eye can damage the macula. Nevertheless, the good news is that there are therapy options for wet AMD. It is best to go for regular checkups with your trusted eye doctor in Singapore.
New blood vessels begin to grow beneath the retina in the wet stage of macular degeneration (choroidal neovascularization). Unfortunately, these new blood vessels frequently leak blood or fluid into the retina, causing vision distortion. It’s critical to see a reputable eye doctor at your chosen Singapore clinic at this point.
Prevention
Routine eye exams at your chosen eye clinic in Singapore are critical for detecting early signs of macular degeneration. The following precautions may help you avoid acquiring wet macular degeneration:
– Manage Other Medical Issues. Since wet AMD mostly happens as an after-effect of dry AMD, managing your other medical conditions well can help slow or prevent the progression of the disease.
– Not Smoking. If you still have not been able to quit smoking, it is best to stop before the disease can progress any further.
– Keep a healthy weight by exercising regularly. Reduce the number of calories you consume by eating a healthy diet. It is also best to increase the quantity of activity you get each day to lose weight.
– Eat a healthy diet. Choose a nutritious diet that includes a wide range of fruits and vegetables. These foods are high in antioxidant vitamins, which lower the risk of macular degeneration.
– Fish should be part of your diet. Fish oil, which contains Omega-3 fatty acids, may help prevent macular degeneration. Walnuts are an example of food high in omega-3 fatty acids.
Wet macular degeneration has no known origin, but it occurs in those with dry macular degeneration. Merely 20% of persons with age related macular degeneration in Singapore and worldwide have the wet variant.
Common Questions Patients Ask
Here are two questions regarding age related macular degeneration most patients in Singapore ask.
• Which AMD is more severe: dry or wet ?
Wet macular degeneration is a more severe condition that is the significant cause of permanent visual loss in central vision. Though the dry form is less dangerous, if not regularly watched by an eye specialist at a Singapore clinic, it can lead to the wet type.
• How often does dry macular degeneration become wet macular degeneration?
Wet macular degeneration affects around one out of every ten patients who have dry macular degeneration. If you already have dry macular degeneration, make sure to see an eye doctor you trust in Singapore regularly.
Nova Eye Centre is an eye clinic in Singapore with 20 years of experience and strives to give its patients the best possible eye care. They provide thorough therapy for a variety of eyesight issues. Nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and cataracts are all examples of conditions they can treat.
If you require LASIK or cataract surgery at a low cost in Singapore, come to the Nova Eye Centre facility. Contact the clinic to set up an appointment.