Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a disease presenting at older ages with complaints like sudden or gradual change of vision quality, distorted vision, darkness in visual field, blurred vision or vision of empty fields and impairment of central vision. In the natural course of the disease, the level of vision decreases to 10% and below in three out of every four eyes.
The disease generally progresses in two clinical forms, namely the dry and wet type. The patients with dry type AMD are usually monitored with preventive treatment and close follow-up. In the case of wet type AMD, which, despite being encountered much less frequently, may result in serious vision losses, the significant benefits may be achieved today via early diagnosis and regular treatment. According to the current treatment practice, the sight levels of the patients may be conserved and the improved sight levels may be obtained in some patients by means of the intraocular drug injections. It should be kept in mind that the early diagnosis is crucial and a race against time is involved in this disease.
ASSOC. PROF. M. NECATİ DEMİR