1. What is Age Related Macula Degeneration?

Age Related Macula Degeneration is the most common cause of visual impairment in the developed world for people aged 50 or older. Age Related Macula Degeneration (usually abbreviated to ARMD or AMD) is a progressive degenerative condition of the central vision zone of the eye.
Principally related to age, the actual underlying cause of the condition is still unknown and the condition presents both the sufferer and clinician with a significant challenge due to the limited availability of treatments and therapies. There are two distinct forms of ARMD, Dry and Wet, the latter being the less common form.
Dry ARMD
(Atrophic or non-neovascular macula degeneration) represents approx. 85% of all diagnosed cases of ARMD. It is a milder form of the condition and usually causes more modest visual impairment to the sufferer.
Wet ARMD
(Disciform Maculopathy) represents the remaining 15% of ARMD cases. Due to the development of abnormal blood vessels under the retina the risks of significant visual impairment are much greater in Wet ARMD than in Dry ARMD.

2. What will happen to my sight?

Dry ARMD
Usually associated with a slow, gradual loss of vision, Dry ARMD causes the development of a blank area in the central vision zone. As time passes there is usually a loss of detailed colour vision manifested in an inability to read small print or make out details on faces.
Dry ARMD does not lead to total vision loss and peripheral vision is usually not affected. It is not unusual for the Dry form of ARMD to lead onto the wet form over time.
Wet ARMD
Usually associated with a rapid and generally severe loss of vision, primarily affecting the central vision zone. Whilst total vision loss is rare, the effects caused by Wet ARMD are more distinct and may involve reduced vision and distortion.

3. Is there a cure for Age Related Macula Degeneration?

Dry ARMD
Unfortunately there are currently no treatments or cures for Dry ARMD. Assessment for Low Vision Devices and counselling/rehabilitation to assist adaptation are currently the only options.
Wet ARMD
There are currently a number of clinical treatments for Wet ARMD. It should be remembered that these treatments are intended to arrest further development of the condition and are not “cures”.
The treatment of choice is currently to inject the eye with an anti-VEGF agent such as Avastin or Lucentis. These drugs prevent the formation of the substances that cause fluid leakage in wet AMD. It is normal for the eye to undergo a course of treatment, ranging from 3 injection upwards, followed by regular screening using OCT (Ocular Coherence Tomography) machine to map the surface of the macula.
There are currently a number of trials being carried out at hospitals across the Country to measure the efficacy of a new treatment. Called MERLOT trials these involve the patient undergoing a small eye operation in which a small “pellet” is implanted near the macula. This “pellet” allows a controlled dose of focal radiation to be applied to the macula region. Initial results have shown promise and this treatment may be offered where the anti-VEGF injections have been unsuccessful. 
Laser Photocoagulation is till used for the treatment of Wet AMD and involves the surgical use of a hot laser to seal the abnormal blood vessels. The treatment also helps to slow down or stop the development of the vessels.
An alternative treatment is called Photodynamic Therapy and involves the use of a cold laser and a photosensitizer drug. The drug is injected intravenously and attaches itself to the molecules required by the developing blood vessels. Once the drug has reached a predetermined level of concentration, a precise burst of cold laser is applied to the area and the drug is activated, causing the attached cells to break down.
In all cases effective treatment is only possible if the condition is detected early enough. Once damage has been done to the retinal cells by ARMD it cannot currently be reclaimed.

4. Will I go blind?

It is extremely rare for either Dry or Wet ARMD to cause total blindness. Although there is often quite severe vision loss in the case of the Wet form of ARMD, there is usually sufficient peripheral vision remaining to allow for a continued active and independent life.

5. How can I help myself?

As previously stated, there is little clinically that can be done once ARMD is diagnosed and established. Regular visits to an eye care professional are advisable, although spectacles can offer very little significant benefit in ARMD.
Some sources have courted controversy and quoted a combination of vitamins and trace elements as being beneficial. As yet no actual clinical benefit has been proved but vitamins E, A and C, as well as zinc, have been suggested and any possible beneficial effects are being investigated.
Risk factors associated with ARMD, other than age, include an identified genetic (and hence possible hereditary) link, race/gender (white women being more at risk), smoking, hypertension and postmenopausal women (if not receiving oestrogen therapy).
When considering self-help, probably the single most important factor in helping ARMD sufferers is the one that is most often neglected. The importance of a good, directional non-glare light source, when attempting any near visual task, cannot be emphasised too strongly. Also, techniques such as Eccentric Viewing and Sensory Substitution are particularly effective in ARMD. Similarly the use of Magnifying Devices and other Non Optical Devices can prove to be of great benefit.