Health Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) AMD affects more than 2.5 million Canadians and is the leading cause of vision loss over the age of 55. It is a progressive eye condition that usually worsens over time, but treatment can delay its severity in some cases. Initial symptoms are a blurring of one’s central vision field, making reading difficult. Glasses do not help. In its early stages, an ophthalmologist or optometrist may detect it before symptoms appear. The condition usually progresses to involve more extensive central vision loss, making driving and other activities more difficult. There are two types of macular degeneration – dry AMD and wet AMD – the former accounts for more than 90% of cases and is the milder form. Dry AMD can develop into wet AMD at any time. In dry AMD, the macula, the light-sensitive tissue in the retina at the back of the eye, becomes damaged with age. In wet AMD, abnormal blood vessels grow in the macula, causing damage and loss of central vision. The risk of developing macular degeneration is reduced by maintaining a healthy diet, not smoking, getting regular exercise and maintaining normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Treatment in the early stages includes special dietary supplements containing certain vitamins and minerals that are shown to slow the progression of the disease. In later stages of wet AMD, regular injection into the eye of certain drugs with or without laser treatment may help. Glaucoma Almost 300,000 Canadians suffer from glaucoma, with the majority of cases presenting over the age of 70. This condition, although less common than cataracts and AMD, is a leading cause of blindness in seniors. Glaucoma involves an increase in the intraocular pressure of the fluid in the eye, causing damage to the optic nerve. The eye constantly produces fluid, and this fluid drains out through the drainage angle near the front of the eye. This maintains the pressure in the eye (the intraocular pressure) at a constant normal level. When this drainage angle is damaged or blocked, the pressure builds up in the eye causing damage to the optic nerve and visual impairment. There are two main types of glaucoma – open-angle glaucoma and closed-angle glaucoma. In the former, the fluid does not drain properly from the eye and the pressure in the eye increases. In its very early stages, there may be no symptoms but during routine eye examinations when the pressure is measured, there may be abnormal levels detected. When symptoms do begin, there may be blind spots noticed in your side vision. Closed-angle glaucoma occurs when the iris in the eye is very close to this angle and blocks the drainage function. Symptoms usually present as an attack involving the sudden onset of eye pain, as well as possible headache, blurred vision in one eye, redness of the eye and even nausea and vomiting. Emergency treatment is required, or blindness may occur. Some may develop it more slowly with no initial symptoms until there is damage to the optic nerve and impaired vision or an acute attack occurs. Higher risk for glaucoma occurs with those who are seniors, have a family history of glaucoma, use long-term steroid drugs or have had eye injuries in the past. Treatment includes regular eye drop medication, oral drugs, laser surgery, surgical procedures and, more recently, glaucoma draining devices. Very little is known that will prevent glaucoma, but early detection and treatment can reduce the risk of blindness. Protecting our eyes with UV-blocking sunglasses, keeping fit, eating healthy foods, protecting our eyes from injury, avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol consumption are all measures that help to reduce the risk of eye disease. Regular examination by an optometrist or ophthalmologist is important in early detection, monitoring and treatment of these three conditions and others to give us the greatest chances of preserving our eyesight. Be sure that your checkups are up to date! CSANews | FALL 2023 | 33
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