How to treat macular degeneration in elderly people?

Question

Hello doctor,

My grandmother is 81 years old and was recently diagnosed with early dry macular degeneration. She is worried about going blind, and we are not sure what to expect. Her doctor told her to start taking eye vitamins (AREDS formula), but we are wondering if there are any newer treatments for the dry type or other ways to slow it down. She loves reading and doing crossword puzzles, and we do not want her to lose her independence. Should she be seeing a retina specialist regularly? We just want to do everything we can to help her keep her vision for as long as possible.

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Dry macular degeneration is a condition where vision is gradually lost because the macula, the central part of the retina that helps with seeing fine details, starts to break down. Tiny yellow deposits called drusen form under the retina, leading to thinning of the macula and damage to its cells. There is no cure right now, but doctors can monitor it in case it progresses to the wet form, which causes more serious vision loss.

Here are some ways to help slow down the condition:

Lifestyle changes: Eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, like spinach and broccoli, can help. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna, and walnuts, are also helpful. A diet that supports heart health, along with a special combination of nutrients, vitamin C, vitamin E, copper, lutein, zeaxanthin, and zinc known as the AREDS2 (age-related eye disease study) formula, may slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration.
Managing other health conditions: It is important to keep conditions like obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure under control, as they can affect eye health.
Using vision aids: Tools such as high-powered reading glasses and large-print books can help with daily tasks. Although macular degeneration mostly affects central vision and not total blindness, it can still make it hard to read, recognize faces, and see fine details. Some people lose vision more quickly (especially with the wet form), but the decline is slower for many.

If your doctor has recommended the AREDS (age-related eye disease study) formula for the dry form, that is a good choice, and AREDS2 is another option. Regular check-ups with an eye doctor, especially a retina specialist, are important to monitor any changes and catch problems early. While other treatment options are being developed, it is best to follow the advice of your healthcare provider.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.