Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
EBM Guidelines
Mar 9, 2023 • Latest change Jan 18, 2024
Table of contents
Extract
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD or ARMD ) refers to degeneration of the area of high-acuity vision (macula) in the fundus of the eye, associated with aging.
- AMD is divided into dry and wet forms.
- The dry form progresses slowly over several years.
- The wet form may progress rapidly within days or weeks.
- In AMD, both distance and near vision deteriorate.
- Refer a patient with the suspected wet form of the disease for investigations and treatment by an ophthalmologist within 1–7 days.
Linked evidence summaries
- Intravitreally injected anti-VEGF agents (pegaptanib, ranibizumab, and bevacizumab) are effective in maintaining visual acuity, and ranibizumab and bevacizumab also improve visual acuity, in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) as compared with no anti-VEGF treatments.A
- Photodynamic therapy for choroidal neovascularisation due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is effective in preventing visual loss; approximately eight people need to be treated with an average of five treatments over two years to prevent one person losing 3 or more lines of visual acuity.A
- Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplementation (vitamin C, E, beta-carotene, and zinc) appears to slow down the progression to late age-related macular degeneration (AMD) .B
Search terms
AMD, ARMD, Age-related macular degeneration, Age-related maculopathy, CNV, Color Perception, Fundus Oculi, H35.30, H35.31, H35.4, Macula Lutea, Macular Degeneration, Ophthalmology, Retinal Degeneration, Vision Disorders, Visual Acuity, Visual Fields, atrophic macular degeneration, exudative macular degeneration, metamorphopsia