Age Related Macula Degeneration
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.
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