Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Practical Approach to a Challenging Disease

doi:10.1111/j.1532-5415.2006.00771.x

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Wiley InterScience

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society

Volume 54 Issue 7, Pages 1130 - 1135

Published Online: 10 May 2006

Journal compilation 2010 The American Geriatrics Society/Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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PROGRESS IN GERIATRICS

Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Practical Approach to a Challenging Disease

Dan H. Bourla, MD ^* and Tara A. Young, MD ^*

From the ^*Jules Stein Eye Institute, Retina Division, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California

Address correspondence to Tara A. Young, MD, Jules Stein Eye Institute, Retina Division, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, 100 Stein Plaza, DS 3–519, Los Angeles, CA 90095. E-mail: young@jsei.ucla.edu

KEYWORDS

age-related macular degeneration • choroidal neovascularization • risk factors • stages • treatment

ABSTRACT

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in older North Americans. The clinical spectrum, risk factors, pathophysiology, and potential therapeutic options for AMD warrant a careful review. Despite the growth in treatment options for this disease, there is no current curative therapy. Of critical importance is attention to modifiable risk factors—improvements in cardiovascular status, including smoking cessation, and routine ophthalmic monitoring for opportunities to provide early intervention. In addition, a low-vision assessment to investigate the potential use of visual assistive devices may be beneficial to any patient who has experienced a decrease in vision. Finally, education regarding the clinical course of age-related macular degeneration and accurate information with respect to the known benefits of available treatments will impart a better understanding of this disease to patients.

DIGITAL OBJECT IDENTIFIER (DOI)

10.1111/j.1532-5415.2006.00771.x About DOI