By: Chista Niknam and Chirag Shah MD MPH
What Is Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common eye condition affecting the macula, responsible for sharp central vision. It is a leading cause of vision loss in people over 50. AMD results from aging, genetics, and lifestyle factors like smoking or poor nutrition. The two main forms of AMD are:
- Dry AMD: Gradual thinning of the macula.
- Wet AMD: Caused by abnormal blood vessel growth under the retina, leading to faster vision loss.
How Does Dr. Shah Diagnose AMD?
Dr. Shah uses advanced technologies to ensure accurate AMD diagnosis and differentiate it from other conditions:
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): Provides detailed cross-sectional images of the retina to detect fluid, thinning, or drusen deposits typical of AMD.
- OCT Angiography: Maps retinal blood flow to identify abnormal vessel growth in wet AMD without dye injections.
- Fluorescein Angiography: Highlights blood flow and leakage by injecting a dye into a vein, revealing wet AMD or other conditions.
- Indocyanine Green Angiography (ICG): Uses a different dye to visualize deeper blood vessels and identify specific conditions like polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), a subtype of AMD.
- Electroretinogram (ERG): Measures retinal electrical activity to assess function and distinguish AMD from other retinal disorders.
- Dark Adaptometry: Evaluates the retina’s adjustment to low-light conditions, often impaired in early AMD.
- Fundus Autofluorescence (FAF): Detects metabolic changes in the retinal pigment epithelium to identify early AMD damage.
These tools enable precise diagnosis and personalized treatment plans to prevent further vision loss.
What Other Conditions Can Be Mistaken for AMD?
Several eye conditions share symptoms with AMD, such as blurry or distorted central vision, but Dr. Shah uses advanced diagnostics to differentiate them:
- Diabetic Retinopathy (DR):
- Similarities: Central vision loss and retinal fluid.
- Diagnosis: Fluorescein angiography identifies DR-specific leakage patterns, while FAF detects metabolic changes unique to AMD.
- Why It Matters: Misdiagnosis can delay necessary treatments like laser therapy or blood sugar management, increasing the risk of blindness.
- Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSCR):
- Similarities: Fluid under the retina and blurred vision.
- Diagnosis: OCT detects temporary fluid buildup in CSCR, distinct from AMD-related drusen. Dark adaptometry helps differentiate low-light adjustment issues in AMD.
- Why It Matters: Treating CSCR as AMD could lead to unnecessary treatments, while CSCR often resolves with stress reduction or lifestyle changes.
- Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy (PCV):
- Similarities: Abnormal blood vessels, a subtype of AMD.
- Diagnosis: ICG angiography reveals PCV-specific polyp-like vessels, with OCT angiography identifying abnormal flow patterns.
- Why It Matters: PCV treatment often requires a combination of anti-VEGF therapy and photodynamic therapy (PDT). Misdiagnosing PCV as AMD can result in inadequate care.
- Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO):
- Similarities: Vision loss and retinal swelling.
- Diagnosis: Fluorescein angiography visualizes widespread retinal hemorrhages and blocked veins, absent in AMD. ERG assesses overall retinal function.
- Why It Matters: Identifying RVO helps manage systemic conditions like hypertension, preventing future retinal damage or strokes.
- Stargardt Disease:
- Similarities: Central vision loss and yellowish deposits mimic dry AMD.
- Diagnosis: FAF detects unique patterns of retinal pigment damage in Stargardt disease, and genetic testing confirms the diagnosis.
- Why It Matters: Proper identification allows for genetic counseling or clinical trial participation instead of unnecessary AMD treatments.
Precision and Personalized Care at Retina Results
Dr. Shah combines advanced diagnostics with individualized care to preserve your vision. By using cutting-edge technologies like OCT, angiography, and autofluorescence imaging, we ensure precise identification of retinal conditions and create tailored treatment plans. At Retina Results, we are committed to helping you achieve the best outcomes for your eye health.
Book an appointment today by calling 858-687-2020 or click here!
We provide world-class retinal care in Rancho Bernardo and La Mesa, serving the entire San Diego area.