Dry macular degeneration in adults – what does it mean?

Dry macular degeneration in adults – what does it mean?

Dry macular degeneration is a common eye disease that mainly affects older people. It is part of the so-called age-related macular degeneration (AMD for short). This disease affects a small but very important area of the retina in the eye – the macula. It is crucial for sharp vision, for example when reading, recognizing faces or driving.

What happens with dry macular degeneration?

Over time, certain metabolic products – known as drusen – are deposited under the retina in this form of AMD. These deposits disrupt the supply to the photoreceptors. As a result, photoreceptors are gradually lost and visual acuity decreases. Central vision is particularly affected. This means, for example, that the center of an image is blurred or appears as a grey spot, while the edges are still clearly visible.

Dry macular degeneration usually progresses slowly and painlessly. Some people do not notice any changes at first. Over time, however, everyday vision can become increasingly impaired.

What can be done?

Even if you can’t stop the progression completely, there are ways to slow it down:

Healthy diet: vitamins and antioxidants, such as those from green vegetables, fish and nuts, are particularly important.
Do not smoke: Smoking can significantly increase the risk.
Have your eyes checked regularly: Early diagnosis helps to detect changes in good time.
Magnifying glasses, reading glasses or screen aids: Special visual aids can make everyday life easier.

What is “toxopheresis”?

Some specialist clinics offer toxopheresis. This is a type of blood washing in which certain substances are filtered out of the blood that may be associated with the development of macular degeneration. The aim is to slow down the progression of the disease. This method is usually used in addition to other measures.

Conclusion

Dry macular degeneration can change your life – but there are ways to deal with it. A conscious lifestyle, good advice and suitable aids can help to maintain quality of life.