Taking action against Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

February is Age-Related Macular Degeneration Awareness (AMD) month. While AMD might be unfamiliar to some, nearly half a million people in Quebec are affected by this disease, which is the leading cause of blindness for those aged 50 and older.

The Association québécoise de la dégénérescence maculaire (AQDM) is launching an awareness campaign to educate Quebecers about eye health and the disease, which can blur central vision. The association is hosting a webinar on Feb. 11, with more events planned throughout the month.

“What happens with the macular degeneration is that you have small deposits underneath the retina that can accumulate with time. And sometimes also abnormal blood vessels can grow underneath the retina and cause a decreased vision or distortion in your vision. Like if you look at straight lines, the line can be bent or wavy,” said Dr. Serge Bourgault, retinal surgeon at the CHU de Québec-Université Laval

Sylvie Castonguay was first diagnosed with the dry form of AMD in her left eye at the age of 64. Three years later, she received a second diagnosis for her right eye.

“It’s blurry, like the vision is a bit different. And I have some gray spots in the central vision,” said Castonguay, AMD patient and AQDM’s executive director.

“The problem is that when the disease is early, there’s no symptoms. So people can have normal vision. The only way to detect macular degeneration at that time is to have an eye exam with your optometrist or with an ophthalmologist,” said Dr. Bourgault.

The dry type of AMD is more common, but it usually progresses slowly over years. The wet type is more likely to cause a relatively sudden change in vision resulting in serious vision loss.

“For the dry type of macular degeneration, the treatment is vitamins and supplements that people take every day. It decreases the risk of progression to a more advanced form of macular degeneration by 25%.  People with more advanced disease, the wet form, is when abnormal blood vessels grow underneath the retina, can be treated with injection in the eye,” said Bourgault.

AQDM warns that some are at a higher risk, including those with a family history of AMD, smokers or ex-smokers, and those who spend extended time in the sun without proper eye protection.

AQDM also offers help for those living with the disease and encourages anyone experience vision problems to seek out screening.

“We can do something to try to prevent it or to slow the progression of the disease,” said Castonguay.