296 lines
No EOL
36 KiB
HTML
296 lines
No EOL
36 KiB
HTML
<!DOCTYPE html>
|
||
<html lang="en" id="article" class="nojs us" data-root="//medlineplus.gov" itemid="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001000.htm" itemtype="http://schema.org/MedicalWebPage" itemscope="">
|
||
<head>
|
||
<meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge,chrome=1"/>
|
||
<meta http-equiv="window-target" content="_top"/>
|
||
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"/>
|
||
<meta charset="utf-8"/>
|
||
<meta property="fb:app_id" content="1042245625821448"/>
|
||
<meta name="expires" content="Wed, 05 02 2025"/>
|
||
<meta name="ac-dictionary" content="medlineplus-ac-dictionary"/>
|
||
<link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://medlineplus.gov/images/favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon"/>
|
||
<link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="//medlineplus.gov/images/touch-icon.png"/>
|
||
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"/>
|
||
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://medlineplus.gov/css/common_new.css?04272023"/>
|
||
<!--[if IE 8]> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://medlineplus.gov/css/ie8/common.css"><![endif]-->
|
||
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/css/uswds_styles.css"/>
|
||
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://medlineplus.gov/css/ency/ency2.css?07162024"/>
|
||
<script type="text/javascript">document.querySelector("html").className = document.querySelector("html").className.replace(/nojs[\s]*/g, '');</script>
|
||
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/js/uswds-init.min.js" type="text/javascript">
|
||
</script>
|
||
<script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='//www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-MMVM77');</script>
|
||
<link rel="canonical" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001000.htm" itemprop="url"/>
|
||
<link rel="alternative" hreflang="es" href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/001000.htm"/>
|
||
<link rel="alternative" hreflang="en" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001000.htm"/><meta property="og:title" content="Age-related macular degeneration: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia"/><meta property="og:url" content="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001000.htm"/><meta property="twitter:title" content="Age-related macular degeneration: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia"/><meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/><meta name="description" content="Macular degeneration is an eye disorder that slowly destroys sharp, central vision. This makes it difficult to see fine details and read."/><meta itemprop="description" name="description" content="Macular degeneration is an eye disorder that slowly destroys sharp, central vision. This makes it difficult to see fine details and read."/><meta property="og:description" content="Macular degeneration is an eye disorder that slowly destroys sharp, central vision. This makes it difficult to see fine details and read."/><meta property="twitter:description" content="Macular degeneration is an eye disorder that slowly destroys sharp, central vision. This makes it difficult to see fine details and read."/><meta property="og:image" content="https://medlineplus.gov/images/share_ency_1.jpg"/><meta property="og:image" content="https://medlineplus.gov/images/share_ency_2.jpg"/><meta property="og:image" content="https://medlineplus.gov/images/share_ency_3.jpg"/><meta property="twitter:image" content="https://medlineplus.gov/images/share_ency_1.jpg"/>
|
||
<title>Age-related macular degeneration: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia</title>
|
||
</head>
|
||
<body><link href="http://schema.org/Patient" itemprop="audience"/>
|
||
<!-- Google Tag Manager -->
|
||
<noscript><iframe title="googletagmanager" src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-MMVM77" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden">
|
||
</iframe>
|
||
</noscript>
|
||
<!-- End Google Tag Manager -->
|
||
<a name="top" id="top">
|
||
</a>
|
||
<a class="hide-offscreen" href="#start">Skip navigation</a>
|
||
<section class="usa-banner" aria-label="Official website of the United States government">
|
||
<div class="usa-accordion">
|
||
<header class="usa-banner__header">
|
||
<div class="usa-banner__inner">
|
||
<div class="grid-col-auto">
|
||
<img aria-hidden="true" class="usa-banner__header-flag" src="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/img/us_flag_small.png" alt=""/>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="grid-col-fill tablet:grid-col-auto" aria-hidden="true">
|
||
<p class="usa-banner__header-text">
|
||
An official website of the United States government
|
||
</p>
|
||
<p class="usa-banner__header-action">Here’s how you know</p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<button type="button" class="usa-accordion__button usa-banner__button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="gov-banner-default-default">
|
||
<span class="usa-banner__button-text">Here’s how you know</span>
|
||
</button>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</header>
|
||
<div class="usa-banner__content usa-accordion__content" id="gov-banner-default-default">
|
||
<div class="grid-row grid-gap-lg">
|
||
<div class="usa-banner__guidance tablet:grid-col-6">
|
||
<img class="usa-banner__icon usa-media-block__img" src="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/img/icon-dot-gov.svg" role="img" alt="" aria-hidden="true"/>
|
||
<div class="usa-media-block__body">
|
||
<p>
|
||
<strong>Official websites use .gov</strong><br/>A
|
||
<strong>.gov</strong> website belongs to an official government
|
||
organization in the United States.
|
||
</p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="usa-banner__guidance tablet:grid-col-6">
|
||
<img class="usa-banner__icon usa-media-block__img" src="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/img/icon-https.svg" role="img" alt="" aria-hidden="true"/>
|
||
<div class="usa-media-block__body">
|
||
<p>
|
||
<strong>Secure .gov websites use HTTPS</strong><br/>A
|
||
<strong>lock</strong> (
|
||
<span class="icon-lock"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="52" height="64" viewBox="0 0 52 64" class="usa-banner__lock-image" role="img" aria-labelledby="banner-lock-description-default" focusable="false">
|
||
<title id="banner-lock-title-default">Lock</title>
|
||
<desc id="banner-lock-description-default">Locked padlock icon</desc>
|
||
<path fill="#000000" fill-rule="evenodd" d="M26 0c10.493 0 19 8.507 19 19v9h3a4 4 0 0 1 4 4v28a4 4 0 0 1-4 4H4a4 4 0 0 1-4-4V32a4 4 0 0 1 4-4h3v-9C7 8.507 15.507 0 26 0zm0 8c-5.979 0-10.843 4.77-10.996 10.712L15 19v9h22v-9c0-6.075-4.925-11-11-11z">
|
||
</path>
|
||
</svg> </span>) or <strong>https://</strong> means you’ve safely connected to
|
||
the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official,
|
||
secure websites.
|
||
</p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
<div id="mplus-wrap">
|
||
<header>
|
||
<div id="mplus-header">
|
||
<!-- Orgs
|
||
================================================== -->
|
||
<div id="mplus-orgs">
|
||
<a title="National Institutes of Health" target="_blank" class="nih-org" href="//www.nih.gov/">
|
||
<img alt="National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nihlogo.png" class="nihlogo"/>
|
||
</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.nlm.nih.gov/"> National Library of Medicine </a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<!-- Logo
|
||
================================================== -->
|
||
<div id="mplus-logo" class="years-25">
|
||
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov">
|
||
<img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/m_logo_25.png" title="MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You" alt="MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You"/>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<!-- Nav Menu
|
||
================================================== -->
|
||
<div id="mplus-nav">
|
||
<div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite">The navigation menu has been collapsed.</div>
|
||
<!-- Menu Button-->
|
||
<button type="submit" aria-controls="mplus-menu-list" role="button" title="Menu" class="navmenu-btn" id="sm-menu-btn" aria-pressed="false" tabindex="0">Menu<span class="icon icon-nav-menu">
|
||
</span></button><ul class="nav-list" id="mplus-menu-list">
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/healthtopics.html">Health Topics</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/druginformation.html">Drugs & Supplements</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/">Genetics</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/">Medical Tests</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/encyclopedia.html">Medical Encyclopedia</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/">About MedlinePlus</a></li>
|
||
</ul><button type="submit" aria-controls="mplus-search" role="button" title="Search" class="navmenu-btn" id="sm-search-btn" aria-pressed="false" tabindex="0"><span class="hide-offscreen">Show </span>Search<span class="icon icon-nav-search">
|
||
</span></button>
|
||
<div class="top-1">
|
||
<!-- Search
|
||
================================================== -->
|
||
<form target="_self" title="Search MedlinePlus" action="//vsearch.nlm.nih.gov/vivisimo/cgi-bin/query-meta" method="get" id="mplus-search">
|
||
<input type="hidden" value="medlineplus" name="v:project"/>
|
||
<input type="hidden" value="medlineplus-bundle" name="v:sources"/>
|
||
<div class="form-box text-combo">
|
||
<div class="form-area"><label for="searchtext_primary" class="hide-offscreen">Search MedlinePlus</label>
|
||
<span role="status" aria-live="polite" class="ui-helper-hidden-accessible">
|
||
</span><input type="text" aria-haspopup="true" aria-autocomplete="list" role="textbox" autocomplete="off" name="query" size="40" maxlength="400" title="Site Search input" alt="Site Search input" placeholder="Search MedlinePlus" class="form-text ui-autocomplete-input" id="searchtext_primary"/>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="button-area">
|
||
<button type="submit" alt="Search MedlinePlus" title="Search MedlinePlus" class="form-btn">GO</button>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</form>
|
||
<!-- Secondary Nav
|
||
================================================== -->
|
||
<div class="secondarynav">
|
||
<ul class="nav-list">
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/"><span>About MedlinePlus</span></a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/whatsnew/"><span>What's New</span></a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/sitemap.html"><span>Site Map</span></a></li>
|
||
<li><a target="_blank" href="https://support.nlm.nih.gov/knowledgebase/category/?id=CAT-01231&category=medlineplus&from=//medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001000.htm"><span>Customer Support</span></a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<!-- Nav Bar
|
||
================================================== -->
|
||
<div id="mplus-nav-bar">
|
||
<ul class="nav-list">
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/healthtopics.html">Health Topics</a></li><li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/druginformation.html">Drugs & Supplements</a></li><li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/">Genetics</a></li><li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/">Medical Tests</a></li><li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/encyclopedia.html">Medical Encyclopedia</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<a title="Español" id="mplus-lang-toggle" href="../../spanish/ency/article/001000.htm">Español</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</header>
|
||
<!-- Content
|
||
================================================== -->
|
||
<div id="mplus-content">
|
||
<!-- Breadrcumbs -->
|
||
<div id="breadcrumbs"><div itemtype="http://schema.org/BreadcrumbList" itemscope="" itemprop="breadcrumb"><span class="hide-offscreen">You Are Here:</span>
|
||
<div itemscope itemprop="itemListElement" itemtype="http://schema.org/ListItem">
|
||
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov" itemprop="item"><span itemprop="name">Home</span></a>
|
||
→
|
||
<meta itemprop="position" content="1"/>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<div itemscope itemprop="itemListElement" itemtype="http://schema.org/ListItem">
|
||
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/encyclopedia.html" itemprop="item"><span itemprop="name">Medical Encyclopedia</span></a>
|
||
→
|
||
<meta itemprop="position" content="2"/>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div><div><span>Age-related macular degeneration</span></div></div>
|
||
<span class="page-url print-only">URL of this page: //medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001000.htm
|
||
</span>
|
||
<!-- Article -->
|
||
<article><div id="d-article"><div class="page-info"><div class="page-title"><a name="start" id="start">
|
||
</a><h1 class="with-also" itemprop="name">Age-related macular degeneration</h1>
|
||
</div><div class="page-actions">
|
||
</div>
|
||
<noscript>
|
||
<span class="js-disabled-message">To use the sharing features on this page, please enable JavaScript.</span>
|
||
</noscript></div><div class="main"><div id="ency_summary"><p>Macular degeneration is an eye disorder that slowly destroys sharp, central vision. This makes it difficult to see fine details and read.</p><p>The disease is most common in people over age 60, which is why it is often called age-related macular degeneration (ARMD or AMD).</p><div class="videobox"><div class="group"><img class="rollover_globals" alt="Macular degeneration" title="Macular degeneration" src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/200063t.gif"/>Watch this video about:<a class="blk" href="../anatomyvideos/000085.htm">Macular degeneration</a></div></div></div><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Causes</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-1" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
|
||
</span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite">
|
||
</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-1"><p>The retina is at the back of the eye. It changes light and images that enter the eye into nerve signals that are sent to the brain. A part of the retina called the macula makes vision sharper and more detailed. It is a yellow spot in the center of the retina. It has a high amount of two natural colors (pigments) called lutein and zeaxanthin.</p><p>AMD is caused by damage to the blood vessels that supply the macula. This change also harms the macula.</p><p>There are two types of AMD:</p><ul><li>Dry AMD occurs when the blood vessels under the macula become thin and brittle. Small yellow deposits, called drusen, form. Almost all people with macular degeneration start with the dry form.</li><li>Wet AMD occurs in about 10% of people with macular degeneration. New abnormal and very fragile blood vessels grow under the macula. These vessels leak blood and fluid. This type of AMD causes most of the vision loss associated with the condition. </li></ul><p>Health care providers are not sure what causes AMD. The condition is rare before age 55. It occurs mostly in people 75 years or older.</p><p>Risk factors for AMD are:</p><ul><li>Family history of AMD</li><li>Being White</li><li>Cigarette smoking</li><li>High-fat diet</li><li>Being female</li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Symptoms</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-2" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
|
||
</span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite">
|
||
</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-2"><p>You may not have any symptoms at first. As the disease gets worse, you may have problems with your central vision.</p><p>SYMPTOMS OF DRY AMD</p><p>The most common symptom of dry AMD is blurred vision. Objects in the center part of your vision often look distorted and dim, and colors look faded. You may have trouble reading print or seeing other details. But you can see well enough to walk and do most daily activities.</p><p>As dry AMD gets worse, you may need more light to read or do everyday tasks. A blurred spot in the center of vision gradually gets larger and darker.</p><p>In the later stages of dry AMD, you may not be able to recognize faces until they are close.</p><p>SYMPTOMS OF WET AMD</p><p>The most common early symptom of wet AMD is that straight lines look distorted and wavy. </p><p>There may be a small dark spot in the center of your vision that gets larger over time.</p><p>With both types of AMD, central vision loss can occur quickly. If this happens, you will need to be seen right away by an ophthalmologist. Make sure this eye doctor has experience in treating problems with the retina.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Exams and Tests</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-3" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
|
||
</span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite">
|
||
</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-3"><p>You will have an eye exam. Drops will be placed into your eyes to widen (dilate) your pupils. Your eye doctor will use special lenses to view your retina, blood vessels, and optic nerve.</p><p>Your eye doctor will look for specific changes in the macula and blood vessels and for drusen.</p><p>You may be asked to cover one eye and look at a pattern of lines called an Amsler grid. If the straight lines look wavy, it may be a sign of AMD. The American Macular Degeneration Foundation has an <a class="extln" target="_blank" href="https://www.macular.org/care-and-treatment/monitoring-your-macular-degeneration/amsler-chart">Amsler grid</a> you can download along with instructions for how to check your vision.</p><p>Other tests that may be done include:</p><ul><li>Using special dye and camera to look at blood flow in the retina (<a test="test" href="./003846.htm">fluorescein angiogram</a>)</li><li>Taking a photo of the inner lining of the eye (fundus photography)</li><li>Using light waves to view the retina (optical coherence tomography)</li><li>A test that measures the pigment in the macula </li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Treatment</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-4" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
|
||
</span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite">
|
||
</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-4"><p>If you have advanced or severe dry AMD, no treatment can restore your vision.</p><p>If you have early AMD and do not smoke, a combination of certain vitamins, antioxidants, and zinc may prevent the disease from getting worse. But it cannot give you back vision that is already lost.</p><p>The combination is often called the "AREDS" formula. The supplements contain:</p><ul><li>500 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C</li><li>400 international units (IU) of vitamin E</li><li>15 mg beta-carotene</li><li>80 mg of zinc</li><li>2 mg of copper </li></ul><p>Only take this vitamin combination if your eye doctor recommends it. Make sure your eye doctor knows about any other vitamins or supplements you are taking. Smokers should not use this supplement.</p><p>AREDS may also benefit you if you have a family history and risk factors for AMD.</p><p>Lutein and zeaxanthin, which are substances found in green leafy vegetables, may also decrease your risk for age-related macular degeneration.</p><p>If you have wet AMD, your eye doctor may recommend:</p><ul><li>Laser surgery (<a test="test" href="./007664.htm">laser photocoagulation</a>) -- a small beam of light destroys the leaking, abnormal blood vessels.</li><li>Photodynamic therapy -- a light activates a medicine that is injected into your body to destroy leaking blood vessels.</li><li>Special medicines that prevent new blood vessels from forming in the eye are injected into the eye (this is an uncomfortable but painless process).</li></ul><p><a test="test" href="../patientinstructions/000526.htm">Low-vision aids</a> (such as special lenses) and therapy can help you use the vision that you have more effectively, and improve your quality of life.</p><p>Close follow-up with your eye doctor is important.</p><ul><li>For dry AMD, visit your eye doctor once a year for a complete eye exam.</li><li>For wet AMD, you likely need frequent, perhaps monthly, follow-up visits. </li></ul><p>Early detection of vision changes is important because the sooner you are treated, the better your outcome. Early detection leads to earlier treatment and often, a better outcome.</p><p>The best way to detect changes is by self-testing at home with the Amsler grid. Your eye doctor can give you a copy of the grid or you can print one from the Internet. Test each eye individually while wearing your reading glasses. If the lines look wavy, call your eye doctor right away for an appointment.</p><p>Treatments in development:</p><p>Stem cell research is showing some promise in restoring some vision in AMD. But this type of treatment is still years away at this point. Similarly, gene therapy may also have a place in the treatment of AMD. Levodopa, while most commonly used to treat Parkinson disease, may have a beneficial effect on wet AMD.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Support Groups</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-5" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
|
||
</span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite">
|
||
</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-5"><p>These resources may provide more information on macular degeneration:</p><ul><li>Macular Degeneration Association -- <a class="extln" target="_blank" href="https://macularhope.org">macularhope.org</a></li><li>National Eye Institute -- <a class="extln" target="_blank" href="https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/age-related-macular-degeneration">www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/age-related-macular-degeneration</a></li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Outlook (Prognosis)</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-6" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
|
||
</span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite">
|
||
</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-6"><p>AMD does not affect side (peripheral) vision. This means complete vision loss never occurs. AMD results in the loss of central vision only.</p><p>Mild, dry AMD usually does not cause disabling central vision loss. </p><p>Wet AMD often leads to significant vision loss.</p><p>In general, with AMD you may lose the ability to read, drive a car, and recognize faces at a distance. But most people with AMD can carry out daily tasks without much difficulty.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>When to Contact a Medical Professional</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-7" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
|
||
</span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite">
|
||
</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-7"><p>If you have AMD, your eye doctor may recommend that you check your vision every day with an Amsler grid. Contact your provider right away if the lines look wavy. Also contact your eye doctor if you notice other changes in your vision.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Prevention</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-8" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
|
||
</span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite">
|
||
</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-8"><p>Although there is no known way to prevent macular degeneration, leading a healthy lifestyle can reduce your risk of developing AMD:</p><ul><li>Do not smoke</li><li>Maintain a healthy diet that is high in fruits and vegetables and low in animal fat</li><li>Exercise regularly</li><li>Maintain a healthy weight </li></ul><p>See your eye doctor regularly for dilated eye exams.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Alternative Names</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-Alt" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
|
||
</span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite">
|
||
</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Alt"><p>Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD); AMD; Vision loss - AMD</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section sec-mb"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Images</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-tnails" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
|
||
</span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite">
|
||
</div></div><div name="Images" class="section-body" id="section-tnails"><ul class="img-grid group">
|
||
<li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/19532t.jpg" alt="Macular degeneration" title="Macular degeneration" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/19532.htm">Macular degeneration</a></li>
|
||
<li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/8903t.jpg" alt="Retina" title="Retina" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/8903.htm">Retina</a></li>
|
||
<li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/24395t.jpg" alt="Low vision aids" title="Low vision aids" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/19959.htm">Low vision aids</a></li>
|
||
</ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>References</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-Ref" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
|
||
</span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite">
|
||
</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Ref"><p>American Academy of Ophthalmology website. AAO PPP Retina/Vitreous Committee, Hoskins Center for Quality Eye Care. Preferred Practice Pattern Guideline. Age-related macular degeneration PPP 2019. <a href="https://www.aao.org/preferred-practice-pattern/age-related-macular-degeneration-ppp" target="_blank">www.aao.org/preferred-practice-pattern/age-related-macular-degeneration-ppp</a>. Updated October 2019. Accessed August 7, 2023.</p><p>Chaikitmongkol V, Bressler NM, Bressler SB. Age-related macular degeneration: non-neovascular early AMD, intermediate AMD, and geographic atrophy. In: Sadda SR, Sarraf D, Freund B, et al, eds. <em>Ryan's Retina</em>. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 66.</p><p>Jacoba CMP, Kim IK, Roh M. Age-related macular degeneration. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. <em>Ophthalmology</em>. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 6.24.</p><p>Pugazhendhi A, Hubbell M, Jairam P, Ambati B. Neovascular macular degeneration: A review of etiology, risk factors, and recent advances in research and therapy. <em>International Journal of Molecular Sciences</em>. 2021;22(3):1170. PMID: 33504013 <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33504013/" target="_blank">pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33504013/</a>.</p></div></div></section>
|
||
<section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Review Date 8/4/2023</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-version" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
|
||
</span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite">
|
||
</div></div>
|
||
<div id="section-version" class="section-body"><p>Updated by: Franklin W. Lusby, MD, Ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision Institute, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.</p>
|
||
</div></div></section><section><div class="section ency-citation"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title ency-citation"><div id="citation-how-to"><button><span>Learn how to cite this page</span></button></div></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite">
|
||
</div></div></div></section><section><div class="section sec-mb"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Related MedlinePlus Health Topics</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-mtp" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
|
||
</span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite">
|
||
</div></div><div name="Related MedlinePlus Health Topics" class="section-body" id="section-mtp"><ul class="side-nav"><li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/maculardegeneration.html">Macular Degeneration</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
</ul></div></div></section></div></div></article>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<footer>
|
||
|
||
<div class="provider-box group">
|
||
<div class="urac-logo">
|
||
<a href="https://accreditnet.urac.org/directory/#/certification/HCP-2/info"><img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/CertifiedSeal.png"/></a>
|
||
<p class="urac-logo-info">Health Content Provider<br>06/01/2025</p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<p class="adam-info">
|
||
<a href='javascript:urac_open();'>A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC</a>, for Health Content Provider (www.urac.org). URAC's <a href='javascript:hwsopen();'>accreditation program</a> is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s <a href='javascript:edpolopen();'>editorial policy, editorial process</a>, and <a href='javascript:ppopen();'>privacy policy</a>. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: <a href='javascript:honc_open();'>verify here</a>.
|
||
</p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<p class="adam-info">
|
||
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only – they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997-2025 A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
|
||
</p>
|
||
<div class="adam-logo">
|
||
<a href="https://www.adam.com/about" target="_blank"><img width="49" height="10" alt="About A.D.A.M." src="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/ftrAdamlogo.gif"/></a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div id="mplus-footer">
|
||
<div class="footer1">
|
||
<ul class="secondarynav">
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/">About MedlinePlus</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/whatsnew/">What's New</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/sitemap.html">Site Map</a></li>
|
||
<li><a name="contact" target="_blank" href="https://support.nlm.nih.gov/knowledgebase/category/?id=CAT-01231&category=medlineplus&from="><span>Customer Support</span></a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<ul class="follow-footer">
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/rss.html" class="follow-item">Subscribe to RSS<img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/feed.png" class="social-media-toolkit-icon" alt="RSS" title="RSS"></a></li>
|
||
<li><span class="follow-label">Follow us</span>
|
||
<a href="https://twitter.com/medlineplus" class="follow-item" target="_blank"><img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/i_share_twitter.png" class="follow-icon" alt="X" title="X"></a>
|
||
<a href="https://facebook.com/Mplus.gov/" class="follow-item" target="_blank"><img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/i_share_fb.png" class="follow-icon" alt="Facebook" title="Facebook"></a>
|
||
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mplusgov/" class="follow-item" target="_blank"><img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/Instagram_Glyph_Gradient_RGB.png" class="follow-icon" alt="Instagram" title="Instagram"></a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/social-media-toolkit/" class="social-media-toolkit-item">Social Media Toolkit<img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/i_social_media_toolkit.png" class="social-media-toolkit-icon" alt="Social Media Toolkit" title="Social Media Toolkit"></a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="footer2">
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.nlm.nih.gov/web_policies.html" target="_blank">NLM Web Policies</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/using/usingcontent/" >Copyright</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="//medlineplus.gov/accessibility.html">Accessibility</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/using/criteria/">Guidelines for Links</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="//medlineplus.gov/plugins.html">Viewers & Players</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.hhs.gov/vulnerability-disclosure-policy/index.html" target="_blank">HHS Vulnerability Disclosure</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/medlineplus-connect/">MedlinePlus Connect for EHRs</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/developers/">For Developers</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<div class="address">
|
||
<a href="//www.nlm.nih.gov" target="_blank">National Library of Medicine</a>
|
||
<span>8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894</span>
|
||
<a href="//www.hhs.gov" target="_blank">U.S. Department of Health and Human Services</a>
|
||
<a href="//www.nih.gov" target="_blank">National Institutes of Health</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="return-top"><a href="#top" title="Return to top"><img class="return-top-icon" alt="Return to top" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/return-top.png"></a></div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</footer>
|
||
</div><!-- End Wrap -->
|
||
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/jslib/jquery-3.6.0.min.js" type="text/javascript">
|
||
</script>
|
||
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/jslib/mplus-frontend-controls.js" type="text/javascript">
|
||
</script>
|
||
<!--[if lte IE 9]>
|
||
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/jslib/jquery.placeholder.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
||
<![endif]-->
|
||
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/jslib/mplus-share.js?id=1112022" type="text/javascript">
|
||
</script>
|
||
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/jslib/control.js" type="text/javascript">
|
||
</script>
|
||
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/js/uswds.min.js" type="text/javascript">
|
||
</script>
|
||
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/jslib/ency/ency.js" type="text/javascript">
|
||
</script>
|
||
</body>
|
||
</html> |