11/14/2023 0 Comments Understand amd system monitorAlthough this is very simplified pathophysiology, it can help patients understand why they must be monitored daily for conversion to wet AMD, even though they may be asymptomatic. This layer is weakened in patients with AMD, and these blood vessels can grow through and start to leak or bleed, causing a sudden and severe decline in vision ( Figure 1). I explain that this layer of the retina is a barrier between the retina above and blood vessels (the choroid) underneath. I show patients with drusen their OCT images and point out that AMD affects the bottom layer of the retina (showing them the hyper-reflective band that is the retinal pigmented epithelium ), causing buildup of waste products (showing them areas of drusen). Consider comparing them with normal photos or OCT scans. Show them their fundus photographs or optical coherence tomography (OCT) images and walk them through the abnormalities that exist. It is very useful for patients to be able to visualize alterations to their macula. Show them imaging of their retina to help them understand their disease. Many patients with AMD maintain functional vision for a lifetime, and while AMD can affect your central vision, it does not make you go completely blind because peripheral vision is still intact.”įig. “There is no cure for AMD, but I am going to make specific recommendations that will decrease your risk of vision loss. This accelerated aging can lead to loss of visual function as the retina structures weaken and no longer function normally.” “AMD is a degenerative condition of the retina where the retina ages more quickly than it should. They must understand the limitations that exist when managing AMD and the reason why we are monitoring them and making certain recommendations in order for them to adhere to follow-up.Ī conversation about AMD and CNV may start off like this: On the other hand, those with reduced visual function may not understand why they are required to have office visits periodically when nothing is being done to “cure” their disease. Those who are completely asymptomatic may not understand why they are monitoring their vision at home or why they are having periodic follow-ups when they have no visual symptoms. Patients who understand their condition and reason for being monitored are more apt to adhere to a mutual agreement. This perennial problem in many spheres of care is certainly a factor in AMD as well. This article will focus on the medical management of those with non-exudative AMD by answering five common questions. Optometrists can manage patients with dry AMD from a medical perspective while also providing optical and low vision services to meet their visual needs. In addition, early detection of CNV is crucial in obtaining best visual outcomes for those who develop exudative AMD.ĭevelopment of advanced-stage disease poses the greatest threat of acuity reduction and significant loss of central vision, but even those without advanced disease may suffer visual deficits such as reduction in dark adaptation and loss of contrast sensitivity. 1 As there is no cure for AMD, current management focuses on reducing risk of conversion to advanced stages with formation of geographic atrophy (GA advanced non-exudative AMD) or choroidal neovascularization (CNV advanced exudative AMD). A ge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in patients over the age of 65.
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