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Age‐Related Macular Degeneration: A Practical Approach to a Challenging Disease
Author(s) -
Bourla Dan H.,
Young Tara A.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2006.00771.x
Subject(s) - medicine , macular degeneration , disease , blindness , intensive care medicine , intervention (counseling) , visual impairment , optometry , ophthalmology , pathology , psychiatry
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.