Age-related Macular Degeneration
It’s important to raise awareness about age-related macular degeneration (AMD) because it’s the leading cause of vision loss in people aged 55+, affecting 2.5 million Canadians. Early detection could slow the progression of vision loss.
Types of AMD
There are two kinds of AMD: dry AMD and wet AMD, and geographic atrophy is an advanced form of dry AMD.
Wet AMD
The wet form of AMD is less common but more severe than dry AMD. Approximately one in 10 people with dry AMD will develop wet AMD, also called neovascular AMD. In wet AMD, blood vessels grow abnormally below the thinning macula. If left untreated, they can leak blood and fluid into the eye.
Dry AMD
The dry form of AMD is more common and usually less severe than wet AMD. It occurs when the macula region of the retina becomes thinner. AMD is a progressive disease, meaning that symptoms normally get worse over time. In approximately 10 per cent of individuals, dry AMD can turn into wet AMD.
Geographic Atrophy
Geographic atrophy (GA) is an advanced form of dry AMD that affects more than five million people worldwide. In GA, cells in the retina start to die, creating areas of death or atrophy which cause vision loss. GA often begins near the centre of the macula, causing blind spots in the central field of vision.
Tips to Decrease Your Risk
Experts suggest these five tips to decrease the risk of developing AMD, and for slowing its progression.
- Don’t smoke. If you do smoke, try cutting down or quitting.
- Control your blood pressure & cholesterol.
- Stay physically active.
- Enjoy colourful furits, dark green leafy vegetables and fish, such as salmon, tuna and mackerel.
- Go for regular eye appointments to make sure you catch any eye health changes early.
- Download an Amsler grid for a quick at-home assessment to test changes in your eyesight.
Funding Research
Research has already made significant impacts on Canadians living with vision loss. New treatments have helped slow down the progress of blinding eye disease. In fact, thanks to research, 75 per cent of vision loss is preventable or treatable with early detection. But we know more needs to be done, and that we are on the verge of great discoveries.
Fighting Blindness Canada is the largest funder of charitable research in Canada. In our 50+ years, we have invested more than $42 million in world-class research, leading to 850+ discoveries. FBC-funded research has enabled us to better understand the genetic causes of some IRDs, accelerating the development of new treatments.
Resources & Support
- Health Information Line: FBC offers a dedicated line to answer questions about eye health, genetic testing, and available treatments at 1.888.626.2995 or at healthinfo@fightingblindness.ca.
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Educational Events: Participate in webinars and in-person conferences to learn about the latest research and connect with others living with vision loss.
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Fundraising: Get involved in initiatives to raise awareness and support for vision research.
- Research News: Read our Research News for updates on research, treatments and clinical trials.
- Monthly e-Newsletter: Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter to learn about the latest developments in the vision health landscape and new FBC initiatives.
Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration: In Research & Practice
Help Support AMD Research & Programs
FBC is dedicated to supporting research into blinding eye disease, including age-related macular degeneration. We also help provide education and connection programs for people living with AMD so they can learn about their disease, find out about the latest research and connect with others facing similar challenges. Help us make a difference.
Join the Fight!
Learn how your support is helping to bring a future without blindness into focus! Be the first to learn about the latest breakthroughs in vision research and events in your community by subscribing to our e-newsletter that lands in inboxes the beginning of each month.
