Caring for our eyes goes beyond updating a vision prescription for new corrective lenses. Scheduling regular eye exams and monitoring our eye health for signs of conditions like glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration (AMD) allows us to preserve our future vision.
Glaucoma and macular degeneration are distinct eye conditions that differ in terms of their development, their effects on the eyes, and in terms of management strategies. Glaucoma damages the optic nerve and causes peripheral vision loss, while AMD affects the macula and leads to central vision loss.
Glaucoma vs AMD: The Basics
Glaucoma refers to a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, a structure in the eye that transmits visual information from the eyes to the brain. Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss worldwide.
Glaucoma is often associated with elevated eye pressure, but can also develop when eye pressure is within a normal range.
Meanwhile, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic eye condition that affects the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision. This disruption can make everyday activities like reading, driving, or recognizing faces increasingly difficult.
While it affects fewer people than glaucoma, AMD is still a common cause of vision loss.
Glaucoma vs AMD: How They Develop
Glaucoma and AMD differ in terms of the parts of the eye they affect. This also means that they affect vision and ocular health in different ways.
Glaucoma develops when fluid inside the eye, known as the aqueous humor, becomes destabilized. This clear fluid fills the front part of the eye, flowing between the cornea and the lens. It’s responsible for nourishing these areas, maintaining appropriate eye pressure, and supporting the eye’s shape and function.
Aqueous humor is produced continuously and is drained from the eye through a complex system.
When the delicate balance of production and drainage is disrupted, this can lead to elevated eye pressure, a key risk factor for glaucoma. This elevated eye pressure puts excess strain on the optic nerve.
Aside from elevated eye pressure, other factors that increase the risk of developing glaucoma include:
- Age
- Genetics
- Eye injuries or trauma
- Poor circulation in the optic nerve
Types of Glaucoma
There are four main types of glaucoma, each varying in terms of their progression and symptoms:
- Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma: The most common type, characterized by a gradual increase in eye pressure, often without symptoms in its early stages.
- Angle-Closure Glaucoma: A less common but more severe form caused by a sudden blockage of drainage channels in the eye, leading to a rapid increase in pressure.
- Normal-Tension Glaucoma: Often linked to poor blood flow to the optic nerve or increased optic nerve sensitivity, this form of glaucoma develops despite normal eye pressure levels.
- Congenital Glaucoma: A rare condition present from birth because of abnormal development of the eye’s drainage system. It leads to increased eye pressure in infants and young children.
Wet vs Dry AMD
Macular degeneration develops when the macula gradually deteriorates over time. This condition can progress in two primary forms: dry and wet AMD.
Dry AMD accounts for a majority of cases. It involves thinning of the macula as a person ages. Small yellow deposits called drusen accumulate under the retina and, over time, these deposits interfere with the function of retinal cells, causing blurry or distorted central vision.
As AMD progresses, complete central vision loss can occur. However, peripheral vision remains unaffected.
Wet AMD, on the other hand, is less common but more severe and leads to vision loss more quickly. Wet AMD develops when abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina.
These blood vessels are fragile and prone to leaking blood or fluid, which damages the macula. The subsequent scarring and swelling significantly disrupt central vision, causing dark spots, waviness, or rapid vision deterioration.
The exact cause of AMD isn’t fully understood, but factors known to increase its development include:
- Genetics
- Aging
- Diabetes
- Nutrient deficient diet
Glaucoma vs AMD: Symptoms
One of the challenges with glaucoma is its lack of early symptoms, so much so that it’s referred to as the “silent thief of sight”. Glaucoma progresses slowly and can cause significant optic nerve damage before symptoms manifest. However, some patients may experience:
- Severe eye pain
- Gradual loss of peripheral vision
- Blurry vision
- Tunnel vision
- Halos around lights
- Nausea or vomiting
AMD may also not result in observable symptoms until the condition begins to progress. Nonetheless, common symptoms include:
- Straight lines appearing wavy or curvy
- Difficulty reading or recognizing faces
- Dark spots in your field of vision
- Reduced colour perception
Managing Glaucoma & AMD
Currently, there is no cure for glaucoma, but it can be managed using several treatments:
- Prescription eye drops to reduce eye pressure
- Laser therapy to improve fluid drainage
- Surgical intervention in severe cases
- Avoiding physical activity that can increase eye pressure
There is also no known cure for AMD, but both the wet and dry forms of the condition can be managed to slow their progression and preserve vision.
The course of treatment depends on the type of AMD one has:
- Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections are used to reduce new blood vessel growth and leakage in wet AMD.
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT) combines a light-activated drug and a laser to target abnormal blood vessels.
- Laser surgery to seal leaking blood vessels in select cases of wet AMD.
In addition to these advanced treatments, making healthy lifestyle choices can also preserve ocular health:
- Lifestyle Adjustments: Quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising regularly.
- Healthy Diet: Consuming a diet rich in leafy greens, fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, and foods containing antioxidants.
- Protecting Eyes from UV Light: Wearing sunglasses that block UV rays can offer additional protection.
- Monitoring Disease Progression: Continuous follow-ups with your optometrist help track and monitor the progression of eye conditions, including glaucoma or AMD.
Schedule a Visit
Once vision is lost, it can’t be restored. That’s why it’s important that ocular issues be detected in their early stages.
Routine eye exams play a pivotal role in maintaining overall ocular health. These exams are designed to detect potential concerns early, allowing for timely management.
Connect with our team at Forest City Optometry to schedule an appointment for your routine eye exam.
