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Age related macular degeneration

What is Age Related Macular Degeneration?

Age-Related Macular Degeneration or (AMD) typically affects the elderly and is most common in Caucasian patients. It is a leading cause of permanent vision loss in individuals over the age of 60.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration occurs when the small central part of the retina known as the macula degenerates. It is the area of the retina that maintains our sharpest vision. AMD may occur in one or both eyes and may affect each eye differently.

Types of macular degeneration

There are characteristically two types of macular degeneration which are referred to as dry and wet.

Dry macular degeneration – is more common and causes a gradual loss of central vision. It is due to an accumulation of proteins in the macula that cause the retinal cells to lose function. Patients with dry AMD will notice a gradual loss of vision that progresses over time.

Wet macular degeneration – causes a sudden loss of vision and is treatable. It is caused by leaky blood vessels in the retina and is a more visually threatening condition. There are various drugs which can be injected into the eye to reverse the process in many people

What causes macular degeneration?

Although macular degeneration is mostly associated with aging, there may also be genetic components to the disease. There are other various risk factors for developing AMD that include:

  • Gender – Females have a higher incidence of AMD
  • Race – It affects Caucasians more than other races
  • Aging – Most common in persons over the age of 60
  • Hereditary – History and family genetics
  • Smoking – Significantly increases your risk of macular degeneration
  • Cardiovascular disease – diseases that affect your heart and blood vessels put you at a higher risk of developing the disease
  • Obesity – eating lots of saturated fats that lead to obesity increase your chances of macular degeneration

Symptoms of macular degeneration

The symptoms of AMD can make reading, watching TV, or recognising faces very difficult. These symptoms usually develop gradually and without pain. If you experience or develop any of these symptoms, get an early diagnosis and treatment.

  • Blurred or distorted vision
  • Seeing straight lines as wavy or bent
  • Difficulty reading in low light
  • Sensitivity to glare
  • Reduced central vision in one or both of your eyes
  • Objects looking smaller than normal
  • Colours seeming less bright

Treatment

There is currently no cure for either wet or dry macular degeneration. Treatment includes injections known as angiogenesis inhibitors. These are prescribed to patients with wet AMD. Patients with dry AMD can try combinations of dietary and nutritional supplements that have been shown to slow down the progression of the disease.

Certain types of the disease may respond to laser or injections into the eye. This can prevent severe vision loss. There are various treatments that have an effect on the disease process including anti-VEGF injections and steroid injections 

Ophthalmologist in Durban

Should you, or someone you know experience any vision problems, set up an appointment with Dr. Ladner today. He is a specialist ophthalmologist operating in the Berea, Durban and Kloof areas of KZN.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration FAQs

  • AMD is a condition that causes the gradual loss of sharp, central vision by affecting the macula. At our Durban clinics, we diagnose AMD by examining the retina for drusen (yellow deposits) which can blur your ability to read, drive, or recognize faces while your peripheral vision remains intact.

  • Dry AMD involves the gradual thinning of the macula, while Wet AMD is caused by abnormal blood vessels leaking fluid or blood into the eye. Dry AMD is more common and progresses slowly; however, Wet AMD is a medical emergency in Pretoria East that can cause rapid, severe vision loss if not treated immediately. 

  • Yes, Dry AMD can progress into the Wet form at any time. This transition occurs when new, fragile blood vessels grow under the retina. We use advanced Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scans at Durban Eye Care to catch these microscopic changes before they cause permanent scarring.

  • The rate of vision loss varies, but Wet AMD can cause significant damage in just days. While Dry AMD usually develops over several years, any sudden appearance of wavy lines on an Amsler Grid suggests a rapid shift that requires an urgent appointment with our ophthalmologists.

  • Your legal ability to drive in KZN depends on whether your vision meets the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) standards. If AMD has significantly reduced your visual acuity or created large blind spots, it may no longer be safe or legal for you to operate a vehicle.

  • We offer gold-standard anti-VEGF injections, including Avastin, Lucentis, and Eylea, to treat Wet AMD. These injections work by "drying up" leaking vessels. For Dry AMD, we focus on slowing progression through specialized clinical monitoring and nutritional guidance.

     

  • Yes, the AREDS2 formula is clinically proven to reduce the risk of progressing to advanced AMD by about 25%. We recommend specific pharmaceutical-grade supplements containing Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Zinc for patients at the intermediate stage of the disease.

  • The Amsler Grid is the most effective tool for daily home monitoring between clinic visits. By covering one eye and looking at the grid, you can spot "metamorphopsia" (wavy lines), which is a primary warning sign of Wet AMD that needs immediate attention from our specialist team.

  • Yes, genetics play a significant role in AMD, and siblings or children of patients have a higher risk. We advise relatives over the age of 50 to undergo a baseline retinal screening at our Durban practice to ensure early detection and preventative care.

Dr Grant Ladner | Eye Surgeon