May is Macula month which is an annual awareness campaign to help Australians understand their risk of macula diseases and how to protect their vision.
Age-related macular degeneration is one of the leading cause of vision loss in Australians over 50.. It affects the macula – the central part of your vision responsible for fine detailed vision. When the macula deteriorates, your central vision becomes blurred or distorted, making it difficult to read, recognise faces, or drive.
We’re passionate about protecting your sight and encouraging early detection of this sight-threatening disease.
Why Macula May Matters For Your Eyes
One in seven Australians over the age of 50 already show signs of Age-related Macular Degeneration, but many remain undiagnosed until it’s too late.
We’re using this month to remind our community that early detection is your best defence against permanent vision loss
Macular degeneration often begins silently. with no symptoms in the early stages.
With early detection and ongoing care we have the best chance to slow progression and protect your sight.
Who Is At Risk?
The risk factors that can increase your likelihood of developing Macular Degeneration are:
Age (over 50)
Family history of macular degeneration (50% more likely if you have a parent or sibling with the disease)
Smoking (which triples your risk)
Obesity
Poor diet low in antioxidants and omega-3s
Cardiovascular disease (high blood pressure and cholesterol)
If you have any of these risk factors, it is essential to have regular eye exams, especially after 50.
How Is Macular Degeneration Detected?
Our optometrist will check for macular degeneration during your comprehensive eye examination. We use advanced imaging like widefield eye scans and Zeiss4D Optical Coherence Tomography to look closely at the macula and catch problems early.
These non-invasive scans allow us to detect even the earliest signs of changes – often before symptoms even begin
Can Macular Degeneration be Treated?
While there’s no cure, early detection makes a significant difference.
The majority of people with macular degeneration have early or intermediate stage disease, where small consistent changes, and keeping up with regular eye exams, can help protect your sight for years to come.
Treatments include:
- Lifestyle changes – eat for your eyes. Eat eye-friendly foods such as fish 2-3 times a week, dark green leafy vegetables, a handful of nuts a week and limit your intake of fats and oils
- Quit smoking. Smoking significantly increases your risk of developing AMD. Quitting is one of the best things you can do for both your eye health and overall wellbeing
- UV and glare protection
UV rays form the sun can damage your eyes and increase your risk of developing AMD. Always wear sunglasses when you’re outside, and make sure they offer 100% UV protection. - Control your blood pressure and cholesterol. High blood pressure and cholesterol levels can increase your risk of developing AMD. If you have high blood pressure or cholesterol Work with your healthcare provider to manage these
- AREDS2- based dietary supplements which have been shown to slow progression in moderate to advanced AMD.
- Intravitreal injections for wet AMD
Regular eye examinations
Routine eye tests are essential for detecting early signs of eye disease—often before you notice any symptoms. If you’re over 50 or have a family history of eye conditions, annual check-ups are strongly recommended.
If macular degeneration is detected, regular examinations are essential to monitor changes and ensure the best treatments.
Concerned about your risk of macular degeneration? Book an appointment with Eyes & Vision today and we’ll take a closer look with the latest technology.
Understanding Macular Degeneration
Some people think there are only two types of AMD, wet and dry. The disease is now classified into three stages: early, intermediate and late AMD. This test is done by covering each eye separately while wearing the appropriate reading glasses. If any distortion, spots or changes in the grid are noticed, immediate eye care attention is needed.
Early and intermediate Macular Degeneration
In early and intermediate macular degeneration there is a build up of small deposits called drusen under the retina. With early AMD you notice no vision changes.
With intermediate AMD the drusen areas are larger and some changes to central vision may be noticed, but progression is slow. Most people with AMD are in the early and intermediate stages.
Late AMD is divided into dry (geographic) AMD and wet (Neovascular) AMD
Dry (geographic) AMD occurs when retinal cells gradually die leading to patches of missing retina and loss of central vision. Dry ARM makes up around one third of all late stage ARM. Some people with dry ARM may go on to develop wet AMD.
Wet (neovascular) AMD is the most aggressive form of AMD and central vision changes are often sudden and severe. Abnormal new blood vessels grow under the retina and can leak fluid and blood which may damage the macula, often leading to a rapid loss of central vision.
Some people have AMD in only one eye, or a different stage of AMD in each eye. Some people with dry AMD may go on to develop wet AMD. It is possible to have both dry and wet AMD in the same eye.
Nowadays, late AMD treatments are available for wet AMD in the form of regular anti-VEGF injections into the eye that can be quite successful in stabilising the disease.
There is also a new dry AMD treatment pegcetacoplan recently approved by the TGA when dry AMD threatens macula vision.
