Age-Related Macular Degeneration is widely considered to be an illness of the elderly. The 'Age-Related' description essentially means people over the age of 65 years with this particular disease.
Though, as we often forget, just because a disease is common or well-known among a specific group of people, that does not mean that they have an easier time with the disease itself.
Plus, as we have seen, however, people can experience early onset (like myself).
Sure it may be more tragic to hear of young children and young adults becoming blind, blindness is tragic at any age.
Another 'Ask me Anything' question was "Can advanced AMD be reversed?"
Not exactly.
There is no known cure for AMD.
There has been information about how to prevent the development of AMD, but that is shoddy as well. With that said, it doesn't hurt to try. Being a non-smoker, keeping your overall cholesterol down, eating leafy greens and adding fish oils to your diet, plus taking a specific vitamin called Vitalux are all ways that could help prevent or slow down the progression of the disease.
I have been told by my ophthalmologist that there is a new medication/treatment coming down the pipeline that is currently going through clinical trials. It has not only been shown to slow down the progression of AMD, but for people with Dry AMD, it has even shown signs of shrinking the drusen that obstruct vision.
Last I heard it was approximately five years out from being approved for the general public.
This is great news for people with Dry Macular Degeneration.
So in theory, Dry AMD could potentially be partially reversed. The likelihood of entirely reversing advanced disease is, seemingly, out of reach at this point.
For those who don't understand, click the following link for a brief overview of Wet AMD. Click the next link for an overview of Dry AMD.
And here is a basic link discussing treatment options and another link here discussing prevention ideas.
Macular Degeneration, to sum it up, is the loss of one's central vision. Most people with AMD will eventually lose all of their central vision but retain their peripheral vision. Most sufferers are diagnosed over the age of 65 years, and many continue with a relatively normal life - learning to rely on peripheral vision. There is, however, a severe loss of independence that goes hand-in-hand with any vision loss.
Learning that there are new treatments in clinical trials is extremely good news, and it also means that there are people working tirelessly to better understand this disease and to find better treatment options.
I, personally, was diagnosed when I was 21 years old. My ophthalmologist explained that my eyes looked as though they were 70 years old. I have been lucky though. My disease has progressed very slowly, and I only experience a few little spots in my vision that are negligible. The only time I even notice is when I am looking at a bright solid surface - like snow or a bright blue sky.
We are not sure if it was exacerbated by medications I was taking at that time or if it s related to my Hereditary Angioedema (a defect in my Complement system).
Either way - after getting second, third, fourth, and fifth opinions (since it was deemed impossible for me to have it), I have been solidly diagnosed with Early Onset Age-Related Macular Degeneration.
I wish I had better answers and better news for the question asked - but three years ago the answer would have been an undisputed no. So having a potential partial yes hope is a good progression.
