Early detection of dry AMD: recognizing symptoms

Recognizing the most common symptoms of dry AMD can lead to earlier treatment.

Benefits of early detection of dry AMD:

Knowing the most common symptoms of dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD) can help to earlier identify and diagnose this widespread eye disease. Earlier detection can lead to earlier treatment and fortunately, a new treatment is available that is restoring vision and improving the quality of life of many dry AMD sufferers.

The eye disease known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) happens when the macula — a part of the retina that controls sharp, straight-ahead vision — is damaged due to age.[1] This damage results in a loss of central vision, which can make it harder for patients to see and distinguish faces, read, drive and do other activities of daily living, such as cooking or fixing things around the home.[2] The condition can therefore have a devastating impact on quality of life.

What are common symptoms of dry AMD?

“AMD is a disease whereby the central retinal tissues gradually and inexorably degenerate,” says Dr. Kevin Parkinson, an ophthalmologist based in Coquitlam, B.C. “The loss of the macular tissue is continual, and although the rate differs from person to person, the loss is non-stop over time.”

There are two types of AMD: wet AMD, which involves abnormal blood vessels that form in the eye and leak proteins and lipids, and dry AMD, which does not involve abnormal blood vessels.[1] Dry AMD is less severe but far more common.[2]

The four most common symptoms of dry AMD include:

Blurred Central Vision: “Patients often first notice difficulty reading fine print,” explains Dr. Parkinson.
Visual Distortions: Straight lines may appear wavy or bent.
Reduced Central Vision: Gaps or dark spots may appear in central vision. This can make tasks like driving or recognizing faces challenging.
Difficulty Recognizing Faces: Social interactions can become strained.

How does dry AMD impact daily life?

This type of visual impairment can dramatically impact daily life for the millions of people living with the disease. While AMD doesn’t cause complete adult blindness,[1] it can have a huge effect on older adults as they go about their day-to-day lives and endeavour to maintain a happy, healthy and independent lifestyle. The condition can result in patients losing their driver’s license — which can have a negative impact on a person’s social habits, activity levels and independence[2] — as well as impact their ability to use a computer or their smart phone to access news, entertainment and services. It can limit their capability to maintain their home and their personal health, their ability to maintain strong social connections, their capacity to enjoy favourite hobbies and so much more.

Innovative treatment for dry AMD: MacuMira Vision Therapy

Fortunately, hope is available for patients living with dry AMD, thanks to an innovative new treatment technology. MacuMira Vision Therapy uses non-invasive eyelid surface neurostimulation, delivering a patented microcurrent through patients’ closed eyes, making it the first and only treatment approved for dry AMD in North America.

“With MacuMira Vision Therapy, we are excited to now offer our dry AMD patients a breakthrough treatment that can help stabilize and even improve their vision,” says Dr. Parkinson.

Clinical trials and expert opinions

The device’s effectiveness was proven in a landmark clinical trial conducted in 2022. “All of the patients in the first cohort experienced improved visual acuity, and all reported happiness and joy that finally their dry AMD could have some treatment and their ability to see could be improved,” says Dr. Trevor Miranda, an optometrist, co-founder of MyDryEye and the Dry Eye Summit, co-owner of Cowichan Eyecare and host of the Optometry Unleashed podcast. “There’s a lot of excitement amongst doctors to be able to help patients who in the past we weren’t able to offer any therapies to.”

“AMD is such a prevalent disease,” says Dr. Wes McCann, an optometrist at Central Optometry (an AMD Centre of Excellence) in London, Ont., and CEO of Doctors Vision Group. “One in eight people over the age of 60 and one in three people over the age of 75 have AMD. Having a solution like MacuMira is really going to be groundbreaking for us here in our practice and across North America because we’re going to be able to improve the vision of many of our patients suffering from dry AMD. It’s quite exciting to be able to offer something other than just nutraceuticals to slow down the disease progression.”

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of dry AMD, consult your eye care provider to discuss whether MacuMira Vision Therapy could be right for you. Contact us to learn more!

¹https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/age-related-macular-degeneration
²https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/age-related-macular-degeneration
³https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/wet-vs-dry-macular-degeneration
⁴ https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/wet-vs-dry-macular-degeneration
⁵https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/age-related-macular-degeneration
⁶https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/for-seniors-losing-driver-s-licence-like-having-arm-cut-off-1.1346585

Disclaimer: Always speak to your primary health care provider and/or eye care provider before making any changes to your lifestyle, activities or diet.