Vaughan Tanner (Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon): Research & Qualifications Vaughan Tanner (Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon): Patient Information Vaughan Tanner (Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon): Sitemap Vaughan Tanner (Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon): Home page Vaughan Tanner (Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon):   Contact details
     
Vaughan Tanner: Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Vaughan Tanner (Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon) London: Menu Bar - Home, Research & Qualifications, Patient Information, Contact Details


 
  Patient Information:: Age Related Macular Degeneration

:: Click here to print off or download information sheet:
Age Related Macular Degeneration


This page aims to give you some information about the condition of Age Related Macular Degeneration or AMD for short. It is one of the commonest causes of poor vision amongst retired people with almost 50% of those over 75yrs having a degree of AMD.


Photo of an eye:  Reina, Cornea, Macula, Optic Nerve, Lens

Vaughan Tanner (Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon) :  Arrow The Retina

The retina is situated at the back of the eye and acts like the film in a camera. It is the part of the eye that converts light into electrical impulses which are then passed along the optic nerve to the brain and form the image you see.


Vaughan Tanner (Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon) :  Arrow The Macular area

This area of the retina is responsible for most of our central vision.
Unfortunately this is the part of the retina which Macular Degeneration affects. It does not affect the retina outside this area, which means that your peripheral vision will never be affected by this condition. It is only the central vision which is affected causing difficulty in reading but NOT total blindness.


Vaughan Tanner (Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon) :  Arrow Types of Macular Degeneration:

DRY type- is a gradual thinning of the central retina which usually takes many years to develop.

Advanced Geographic macular
atrophy in "dry" type ARMD

Age Related Macular Degeneration

WET or Disciform type - here the body tries to heal the ageing retina by making new blood vessels grow into the retina. Unfortunately, these are very fragile and often bleed. This can lead to a sudden deterioration of vision. The vision may become distorted and straight lines, like window panes, may appear bent.

Sub-retinal new vessels
Fluorescein angiogram
of "wet" ARMD

Fluorescein angiogram of "wet"  Age Related Macular Degeneration
 
Disciform scar

Age Related Macular Degeneration: Disciform scar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vaughan Tanner (Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon) :  Arrow Is there any treatment?

Most people have the dry form for which there is no specific treatment other than dietary supplements - see below. Although the condition may slowly progress, it will NEVER make you go completely blind, as it never affects the peripheral vision.

Some people have the wet form. Treatment is now possible in most forms of wet disease due to the introduction of anti growth factor injections such as Lucentis and Macugen. These drugs are still very new and unfortunately not yet funded by the NHS but offer the potential for visual improvement in up to 40% of cases. Other treatment options include Photodynamic Therapy using Visudyne, possibly combined with intravitreal Triamcinolone steroid injections."


Vaughan Tanner (Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon) :  Arrow Can glasses help?

You should ensure that you have an up to date pair of glasses. Full frame reading glasses are better than Bifocals of Varifocals. If you are having difficulty reading, please ask to be referred to the Low Vision Aid Clinic for advise on magnifying aids. Remember extra lighting can help with reading.


Vaughan Tanner (Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon) :  Arrow Can I do anything to prevent it happening?

Good advice for everyone young and old is to wear a pair of UV blocking sun glasses together with a brimmed hat when outside in the sun.

Vaughan Tanner (Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon) :  Arrow Stop Smoking

If you are a smoker, research has shown that smokers have a higher instance of Age Related Macular Degeneration and I would encourage you to stop smoking to help decrease your overall risk as well as avoiding other medical problems.


Vaughan Tanner (Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon) :  Arrow What about dietary supplements?

Results from the AREDS study, published in the Archives of Ophthalmology (2001) show that taking supplements containing high levels of antioxidants and zinc, significantly reduced the risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

People at high risk for developing advanced stages of AMD lowered their risk by about 25 percent when treated with a high-dose combination of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene and zinc.

The supplements benefitted patients with both the wet and dry forms of AMD. Supplements did not provide benefit for those with either early AMD or no AMD. Previous studies have suggested that people who have diets rich in green, leafy vegetables have a lower risk for developing AMD. However, the high levels of dietary supplements that were evaluated in this study are difficult to achieve from diet alone.

Five year follow up of patients who are taking the high dose preparations has shown no significant side effects other than a mild increase of non specific genito-urinary tract problems which is of questionable significance. Other researchers feel that high levels of Lutein and Zeoxanthine may also be of benefit in reducing the risk of progression of ARMD and there are several animal studies to support this. I would therefore recommend that you use a combination tablet containing not only the high dose multivitamins and antioxidants as used in the AREDS trial but additional Lutein supplements as well.

The best combination I have found to provide all of these ingredients is the preparation known as "VitEyes". These tablets will provide the appropriate levels of supplements when used twice a day and are obtainable in three month supplies from my offices via Jacquie, my personal assistant, on 01189 553457


Vaughan Tanner (Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon) :  Arrow Smokers

In smokers a slightly different formulation is recommended which my secretary will be happy to discuss with you.

Vaughan Tanner (Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon) :  Arrow General Advice

Television
Sit closer to the TV to help you see, this will do no harm.

Driving
You must be able to read a number plate confidently at 20.5 meters (67 feet) to satisfy the DVLA standards. If you cannot then your insurance is invalid and unfortunately you cannot drive.

Partial Sighted and Blind Registration
For those whose vision is badly affected registration brings many benefits. The support team will visit you in your own home and assess whether you need any additional help or appliances. They can arrange the talking book and other support services which you may find very helpful.

 

Useful Addresses:

The Macular Disease Society
Darwin House, 13a Bridge St, Andover, Hampshire. SP10 1BE
Helpline: 0845 2412041
Web site: www.maculardisease.org

You can join this society, obtain further information about your eye condition and keep updated on new developments.


Royal National Institute for the Blind
224 Great Portland Street, London. W1N 6AA
Tel: 0171 3881266
Web site: www.rnib.org.uk


Talking book Service for blind people
Mount Pleasant, Alperton, Wembley
Tel: 0181 9036666


Talking Newspaper Association of the United Kingdom
90 High Street, Heathfield, East Sussex TN21 8JD
Tel: 01435 866102


Partially-Sighted Society
Queen's Road, Doncaster, South Yorkshire DN1 2NX
Tel: 01302 323132



Disclaimer


The information provided in this website is intended as a useful aid to general gractioners, optometrists and patients. It is impossible to diagnose and treat patients adequately without a thorough eye examination by a qualified ophthalmologist, optometrist or your general practitioner. Hopefully the information will be of use prior to and following a consultation which it supplements and does not replace.


Vaughan Tanner:  E-mail address: Tanner@aol.com

Website queries contact our webmaster