Macular Degeneration (AMD) | Austin, TX

Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative disease of the retina that affects one’s ability to see in the center of their visual field. It typically affects people over 50 and significantly changes their quality of life by limiting the ability to see fine detail, read, drive or recognize facial features.

Results released by the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), a major clinical trial sponsored by the National Eye Institute, indicates that high levels of antioxidants and zinc significantly reduce the risk of advanced AMD and its associated vision loss. In response to this, Dr. Harper created a simple treatment solution called Sight Defense MV (Sight Defense + multivitamin). This product provides a high quality daily multivitamin, along with the AREDs recommended nutrients.

In addition, Dr. Harper follows the latest science related to AMD, adding nutritional ingredients to her formulation as new clinical studies prove their safety and efficacy with AMD.

Keeping your eyesight safe is essential. Call Ruthie Harper, MD today for more information about macular degeneration and schedule an appointment to protect your eyesight from Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) now and for years to come!

Macular Degeneration
AMD
Austin, TX

In addition, Dr. Harper follows the latest science related to AMD, adding nutritional ingredients to her formulation as new clinical studies prove their safety and efficacy with AMD.

Keeping your eyesight safe is essential. Call Ruthie Harper, MD today for more information about macular degeneration and how to protect your eyesight from Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) now and for years to come!

Age Related Macular Degeneration Doctor

anti-aging Hormone Therapy Doctor Austin

Macular Degeneration
Risk Factors

Risk factors associated with AMD include:

Smoking
Fair skin
Light colored eyes
Diabetes
Sun exposure as a child
Lack of exercise
Poor dietary intake of antioxidants and essential fatty acids
Age over 50: AMD can occur during middle age, with the risk increasing as you age
Obesity: Research studies suggest a link between obesity and the progression of early and intermediate to advanced AMD
Race: Whites are much more likely to lose vision from AMD than African Americans
Family history: People with a family history of AMD are at higher risk of getting the disease
Gender: Women appear to be at greater risk than men

Wet AMD vs
Dry AMD

Dry AMD occurs when light-sensitive cells break down in the macula of your eye. This causes vision in the center of your eye to gradually blur, often resulting in a blurred spot in the center of your vision and loss of central vision.

A common symptom of dry AMD is slightly blurred vision resulting in difficulty recognizing faces. It tends to affect both eyes, although it can occur in only one eye as well. Those with this form of AMD tend to have difficulty recognizing faces. Another symptom is the appearance of drusen in the eye. Drusen are yellow deposits under the retina, often found in people over the age of 60. They can be detected during a comprehensive dilated eye exam.

Wet AMD occurs upon the growth of abnormal blood vessels behind the retina under the macula. These blood vessels tend to be fragile, leaking blood or fluid which then raises the macula. Damage from wet AMD is quick, with loss of central vision occurring quickly.

Wet AMD is considered the more severe form of the two, and can be detected by visual changes that causes straight lines to appear wavy. If this condition is present, it’s important to contact an eye care professional immediately for a comprehensive dilated eye exam.

Macular Degeneration
Stages

DRY AMD has 3 stages, which may occur in one or both eyes:

1. Early AMD People with early AMD have either several small drusen (yellow deposits under the retina) or a few medium-sized drusen. At this stage, there are no symptoms and no vision loss.

2. Intermediate AMD People with intermediate AMD have either many medium-sized drusen or one or more large drusen. Some people see a blurred spot in the center of their vision. More light may be needed for reading and other tasks.

3. Advanced Dry AMD In addition to drusen, people with advanced dry AMD have a breakdown of light-sensitive cells and supporting tissue in the central retinal area. This breakdown can cause a blurred spot in the center of your vision. Over time, the blurred spot may get bigger and darker, taking more of your central vision. You may have difficulty reading or recognizing faces until they are very close to you.

Wet AMD is considered advanced AMD and does not have an early or intermediate stage. Both the wet form and the advanced dry form are considered advanced AMD. Vision loss occurs with either form. In most cases, only advanced AMD can cause vision loss.

More About Age Related Macular Degeneration

Treating Macular Degeneration

How are the two forms of AMD treated?

Dry AMD Once dry AMD reaches the advanced stage, no form of treatment can prevent vision loss. However, treatment can delay and possibly prevent intermediate AMD from progressing to the advanced stage, in which vision loss occurs.

The National Eye Institute’s Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) found that taking a specific high-dose formulation of antioxidants and zinc significantly reduces the risk of advanced AMD and its associated vision loss. Slowing AMD’s progression from the intermediate stage to the advanced stage will save the vision of many people.

Wet AMD can be treated with laser surgery, photodynamic therapy, and injections into the eye. None of these treatments is a cure for wet AMD. Each treatment may slow the rate of vision decline or stop further vision loss, but the disease and loss of vision may progress despite treatment.

Laser surgery This procedure uses a laser to destroy the fragile, leaky blood vessels. A high energy beam of light is aimed directly onto the new blood vessels and destroys them, preventing further loss of vision. However, laser treatment also may destroy some surrounding healthy tissue and some vision. Only a small percentage of people with wet AMD can be treated with laser surgery.

Laser surgery is more effective if the leaky blood vessels have developed away from the fovea, the central part of the macula. Laser surgery is performed in a doctor’s office or eye clinic. The risk of new blood vessels developing after laser treatment is high. Repeated treatments may be necessary. In some cases, vision loss may progress despite repeated treatments.

Photodynamic therapy A drug called verteporfin is injected into your arm. It travels throughout the body, including the new blood vessels in your eye. The drug tends to “stick” to the surface of new blood vessels. Next, a light is shined into your eye for about 90 seconds. The light activates the drug.

The activated drug destroys the new blood vessels and leads to a slower rate of vision decline. Unlike laser surgery, this drug does not destroy surrounding healthy tissue. Because the drug is activated by light, you must avoid exposing your skin or eyes to direct sunlight or bright indoor light for five days after treatment.

Photodynamic therapy is relatively painless. It takes about 20 minutes and can be performed in a doctor’s office. Photodynamic therapy slows the rate of vision loss. It does not stop vision loss or restore vision in eyes already damaged by advanced AMD. Treatment results often are temporary. It may require additional treatment.

Sight Defense for AMD FAQs

Can a daily multivitamin alone provide the same protection as the Sight Defense MV?

No. Sight Defense MV contains not only an eye vitamin, but also a multivitamin plus healthy omega 3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA).

When taking Sight Defense MV, no additional multivitamin is needed. In addition, taking Sight Defense MV prevents the overdosage of nutrients possible when adding a multivitamin to an eye vitamin.

Can diet alone provide the same levels of antioxidants and zinc as the Sight Defense MV?

No. The high levels of vitamins and minerals are difficult to achieve from diet alone. However, previous studies have suggested that people who have diets rich in green leafy vegetables have a lower risk of developing AMD.

Can my lifestyle make a difference?

Your lifestyle can play a role in reducing your risk of developing AMD by following the AMD Prevention Pyramid Program. Learn more about the AMD Prevention Pyramid Program here.

Why is the Omega-3 Fatty Acid (EPA and DHA) important in the Sight Defense MV Formulation?

Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) are a critical building block of the retina. They help protect the retina against free radicals that can damage it. In addition, the Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) may aid in the absorption of both Lutein/Zeaxanthin and Coenzyme Q- 10.

Why are Lutein/Zeaxanthin important in the Sight Defense MV formulation?

Lutein and its carotenoid relative Zeaxanthin have shown promise to help patients with AMD or those at risk of developing AMD. Lutein and Zeaxanthin are the only carotenoids found in both the macula and lens of the human eye and have dual functions in both tissues. They function as powerful antioxidants and act to filter high-energy blue light which can damage the retina.

Other AMD FAQs

What is more common, the wet or dry form of AMD?

The dry form is much more common. More than 85 percent of all people with intermediate and advanced AMD combined have the dry form. However, if only advanced AMD is considered, about two-thirds of patients have the wet form. Because almost all vision loss comes from advanced AMD, the wet form leads to significantly more vision loss than the dry form.

Can the dry form turn into the wet form of AMD?

Yes. All people who have the wet form had the dry form first. The dry form can advance and cause vision loss without turning into the wet form. The dry form also can suddenly turn into the wet form, even during early stage AMD. There is no way to tell if or when the dry form will turn into the wet form.

Wet AMD can now be treated with a new drug that is injected into the eye (antiVEGF therapy). Abnormally high levels of a specific growth factor occur in eyes with Wet AMD and promote the growth of abnormal new blood vessels. This drug treatment blocks the effects of the growth factor. You will need multiple injections, usually given about six weeks apart. The eye is numbed before each injection. After the injection, you will remain in the doctor’s office for a while and your eye will be monitored. As with photodynamic therapy, the main benefit for patients treated with the drug is to slow vision loss from AMD.

What can I do to protect my vision?

If you have Dry AMD, you should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year. Your eye care specialist will check for eye diseases and monitor your condition. Because dry AMD can turn into wet AMD at any time, you should get an Amsler grid from your eye care professional. Use the grid every day to evaluate your vision for signs of wet AMD.

If you have wet AMD and your doctor advises treatment, do not wait. After laser surgery or photodynamic therapy, you will need frequent eye exams to detect any recurrence of leaking blood vessels. Studies show that people who smoke have a greater risk of recurrence than those who don’t. In addition, check your vision at home with the Amsler grid. If you detect any changes, schedule an eye exam immediately.

What can I do if I already have lost some of my vision from AMD?

If you have lost some sight from AMD, don’t be afraid to use your eyes for reading, watching TV, and other routine activities. Normal use of your eyes will not cause further damage to your vision. Ask your eye care professional about low vision services and devices that may help you make the most of your remaining vision.

Macular Degeneration (AMD) | Austin, TX

Macular Degeneration AMD Austin, TX