Words Dr. Lisa Meister & Dr. Meaghan Goddard, OD
Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss for Canadians over the age of 55, affecting approximately 2.5 million people in the country, and appears in two main forms: dry and wet. Wet AMD involves abnormal blood vessels growing beneath the retina and is typically managed by an ophthalmologist using injections to slow disease progression.
Dry AMD, however, has historically had no direct treatment. In its advanced stage – known as geographic atrophy – the resulting vision loss can be even more debilitating than that caused by wet AMD. An estimated 85 to 90% of AMD cases are the dry form.
What exactly is Dry AMD?
The back of your eye has a light-sensitive layer called the retina, and in the middle is the macula. This structure is responsible for your sharp, central vision, the kind you use for reading, recognizing faces and driving. In dry age-related macular degeneration, the macula gradually thins and becomes dysfunctional, often marked by yellowish waste deposits called drusen. Dry AMD often has no early symptoms, so routine eye exams are essential. As the disease progresses, you may notice blurred or distorted central vision, a need for brighter light when reading or doing close work, straight lines appearing wavy or distorted, or a dark patch in the middle of what you see.
AMD Prevention
Although we can’t turn back the clock, there are practical steps that help: stop smoking (a significant risk factor for AMD), protect eyes from UV damage, exercise regularly, control your blood pressure and cholesterol, and practise a healthy diet enriched in leafy greens, colourful fruits/vegetables and fish. If you have dry AMD, your eyecare provider may recommend AREDS 2 supplements, a clinically proven combination of vitamins and minerals that slows intermediate and late-stage disease progression. They are not a cure and cannot recover lost vision. It is also helpful to ease up on saturated fats, added sugars, and alcohol, as keeping these to a minimum may support better long-term eye health.
New Hope on the Horizon
Recently a novel, non-invasive device called MacuMira received Health Canada authorization and is being rolled out at clinics across the country. MacuMira is an in-office treatment that uses gentle microcurrent stimulation delivered through closed eyelids to help activate retinal cells and support their function. Clinical studies have shown promising results, with many patients experiencing clearer vision and improved contrast sensitivity, sometimes within days of starting therapy. It is important to note that not everyone is a candidate for this treatment and individual responses vary so it is best to consult your optometrist to see if this treatment is right for you.
Taking Control
Dry AMD is common; while we don’t have a cure, the good news is that options for preserving and even improving visual function are expanding. Keep up with regular eye exams, consult your healthcare team about positive dietary and lifestyle changes, and talk with your local eye care team about whether new therapies might be right for you.
www.cordovabayoptometry.ca/macumira
