Age-Related Muscular Degeneration(AMD)
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What Is AMD?
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that may get worse over time, it happens when the small central portion of your retina called the macula wears down. Normally the disease happens as you get older and is the leading cause of severe permanent vision loss on people over 60 years of age. In early stages, macular degeneration does not affect vision other than a diminished ability to see in low light. Later, if the disease progresses, people experience wavy or blurred vision, and, if the condition continues to worsen, central vision may be completely lost. Many people don’t realize they have AMD until their vision is very blurry. This is why it is important to have regular visits to an ophthalmologist. He or she can look for early signs of AMD before you have any vision problems. Contact North Texas Vision Center for more info.

Another form of macular degeneration called Stargardt disease or Juvenile Macular Degeneration affects children and young adults.
Two Types of AMD
- Dry AMD
This form is quite common, Dry AMD is when parts of the macula get thinner with age and tiny clumps of protein called drusen as they get bigger and more numerous they might dim or distort your vision. As the condition gets worse the light-sensitive cells in your macula get thinner, it may also cause blind spots in the center of your vision and as it progresses you may lose central vision.
- Wet AMD
Wet AMD is less common but much more serious. Wet AMD is when new abnormal blood vessels grow underneath your macula. These vessels may leak blood or other fluids causing scarring of the macula leading to blind spots and permanent central vision loss. Your Vision becomes distorted and straight lines start to look wavy. You lose vision faster with wet AMD than with dry AMD.
What Causes Muscular Degeneration?
People are more likely to develop Macular Degeneration if you consume high saturated fats in your diet, are overweight, smoke, are over 50 years of age, have hypertension, high cholesterol, and have a family history of AMD.
Diagnosing Muscular Degeneration
Dr Jolly and Dr. Hess will perform a comprehensive eye exam, during your eye exam you may be asked to look at an Amsler Gride. The Amsler gride will help you to notice any blurry, distorted, or blank spots in your field of vision. An Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) test may be ordered during your exam this machine scans the retina and provides a very detailed image of the retina and macula.
Treatment for Muscular Degeneration
Taking vitamins such as AREDS which may help to slow dry AMD
- Eating healthier foods
- Quitting smoking
- Laser Photocoagulation
- Regularly testing your vision at home with the Amsler gride
- Ani-VEGT treatment (usually done by a retina specialist)
Dr. Jolly or Dr. Hess may refer you out to a retina specialist for further treatment depending on the type, severity, and depending on the type of insurance that you have will determine where we are able to send you. Dr. Vijay Khetpal with Texoma Retina center uses our office once a month (usually the last Wednesday of the month) to see patients here in Gainesville that are unable to travel to his office in Sherman.
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North Texas Vision Center
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