At What Age Does Macular Degeneration Usually Start? 

People who develop macular degeneration often begin experiencing symptoms after 50 years old, but symptoms can happen earlier or later depending on conditions and risk factors. Macular degeneration is an eye condition that mostly affects older adults. It causes blurring in the central area of vision and can eventually lead to blindness. Although it’s possible to develop macular degeneration at a younger age, it’s most commonly seen in people 50 years and older. This article will explore the age at which macular degeneration usually begins, as well as why this condition typically develops with age and how quickly it can progress. At a glance: Macular degeneration Macular degeneration is an eye condition that usually develops as a result of age and genetics. It causes you to lose vision in the central part of your eye. This vision loss is the result of damage to the macula, a part of the retina. You can learn more about the stages of macular degeneration here. Macular degeneration sometimes occurs in children. This is known as juvenile macular degeneration, a different condition than age-related macular degeneration in adults. One of the most common types of juvenile macular degeneration is Stargardt macular degeneration. This rare condition is a genetic disease that causes progressive vision loss, but it’s pretty uncommon, occurring in fewer than 1 in 10,000 children. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the form of the disease most people know as macular degeneration, and it’s the leading cause of blindness in adults 60 years and older. AMD commonly begins after age 50 and becomes more common with each passing year. As many as 1 in 100 people between ages 65 and 75 develop AMD. Vision naturally decreases with age for many people. While the risk of developing macular degeneration can increase with age and certain risk factors, it usually begins around age 55. It’s possible, however, for macular degeneration to develop over a period of time without real noticeable symptoms. Early warning signs of macular degeneration You can read more in this Healthline article about the early warning signs of macular degeneration and what you can expect if these signs develop. Dry age-related macular degeneration can develop slowly over time. You may not even realize it’s happening outside of increasingly blurred vision. The wet form of age-related macular degeneration can develop more noticeably and much more suddenly. With this form of macular degeneration, blood or other fluids from blood vessels that form where they don’t belong cause scarring that can interfere with your vision. Wet AMD can affect your vision in as quickly as a few weeks. Once the new vessels that can lead to vision loss form in one eye, you have between a 7% and 87% chance of developing it in your other eye within 5 years. Once the new vessels that can lead to vision loss form in one eye, you may develop it in your other eye. According to this 2019 research, you have about a 21% chance of developing it in your other eye within 5 years. Some types of macular degeneration can begin early, but dry age-related macular degeneration is the most common form of this disease. The risk of developing age-related macular degeneration generally increases with age, with most people noticing symptoms around age 55 and older. If you are getting older and noticing vision changes, or you have risk factors that could increase your chances of developing macular degeneration, consult your healthcare team or eye doctor about testing and treatment.


Heat Waves Threaten Brain Health, Study Suggests 

MONDAY, Dec. 30, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- Global warming will increasingly have dire consequences for people with degenerative brain disorders like dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Heat waves caused by climate change will exacerbate the symptoms of people with brain diseases, increasing their risk of death, researchers reported recently in the journal JAMA Neurology. For example, deaths and hospitalizations related to Parkinson’s increased more than 10% for every increase of 1 degree Fahrenheit over a threshold of 93 degrees, earlier research has established. “These deaths are preventable, and doctors can make a difference,” lead researcher Dr. Indu Subramanian, a neurologist with UCLA Health, said in a news release from the college.  2024 is set to end as Earth’s hottest year on record, breaking the previous record set in 2023, researchers said. People suffering from degenerative brain diseases are particularly vulnerable to health problems caused by crushing heat waves, researchers noted. For example, the impact of Parkinson’s on the body’s ability to regulate its automatic functions increases the risk of dehydration, head stroke and fainting during hot weather. Parkinson’s and other brain conditions can also compromise a person’s ability to sweat, making them more likely to overheat, researchers noted. What's more, medications that people take for these brain disorders can interfere with the body’s ability to cool itself off. According to Subramanian, these at-risk patients are less likely to know about the risk that heat poses because they tend to be socially isolated. “I was surprised how many patients view us docs or health care providers as their only touch point with the world outside their house,” Subramanian said. Doctors need to start regularly screening these patients for social isolation, and connect them to resources that can protect them during heat waves, Subramanian emphasized. For example, telemedicine can give docs a chance to check in on high-risk patients and make sure they’re taking steps to protect themselves from the heat. “People with Parkinson’s disease and dementias are at risk for dying in heat waves and we can be proactive about preventing this,” Subramanian concluded. More information The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on climate change and health. SOURCE: UCLA, news release, Dec. 17, 2024 People with dementia, Parkinson’s disease, or other brain disorders should talk with their doctor about the best way to protect their health during heat waves.


Macular Degeneration Types Explained 

Macular degeneration, also known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), refers to a gradual loss of central vision. There are two main types: dry and wet. Both types are progressive, and both cause blurry central vision. Dry AMD is the more common type, while wet is an advanced form of AMD that leads to more rapid vision loss. Treatment can slow progression to preserve more of a person’s vision. This article reviews the two types of AMD, their stages, and more. Dry AMD accounts for about 80% of all AMD causes. It occurs when age causes parts of the macula to thin and deposits of drusen to grow. Drusen are small clumps of protein. The macula is located in the center of the retina. People living with dry AMD will notice blurry vision starting to affect their central vision. This can cause other symptoms, such as difficulty seeing in low light. Once it advances, a person may notice changes in how colors look, as well as blind spots in their central vision. Early stages of dry AMD have no treatment options. An eye doctor will monitor a person’s vision with regular examinations. They may also recommend: getting plenty of exercise quitting smoking, if applicable, or avoiding cigarette smoke As the condition progresses, a doctor may recommend that a person take vitamin and mineral supplements known as AREDS 2. This combination supplement can help slow the progression of the condition and preserve a person’s eyesight. Geographic atrophy Geographic atrophy is an advanced stage of dry AMD. It affects an estimated 1 million people in the United States. When it occurs, retina cells die, causing further vision loss. It can cause symptoms such as: dark spots in the central vision numbers or letters disappearing when reading dull, washed-out colors difficulty reading in low light trouble seeing in dimly lit rooms blurry vision Not everyone with dry AMD will develop geographic atrophy. Certain risk factors can increase a person’s chances of developing it, such as: In 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first medications for geographic atrophy called pegcetacoplan (Empaveli, Syfovre) and avacincaptad pegol (Izervay). These medications can help slow the progression of the condition but cannot restore lost vision or improve eyesight. Wet AMD is less common than dry, accounting for about 20% of all AMD cases. Experts consider it an advanced stage of AMD, and it can lead to more rapid vision loss. Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina. The abnormal vessels may then leak or bleed, leading to vision loss. Doctors may recommend either anti-VEGF drug injections or photodynamic therapy (PDT), a combination of injections and light therapy. These treatments help reduce the amount of abnormal blood vessels present in the retinas. There are four stages of AMD. Subclinical Subclinical AMD means a person shows very early signs that AMD may occur. A person will not typically have any symptoms, but they may benefit from monitoring. A 2019 study showed that monitoring this stage may help prevent the progression of the condition. Despite their findings, the authors suggest additional research to explore early monitoring. Early In the early stage of AMD, a person will not generally show any signs of symptoms. A doctor will likely recommend regular monitoring, as well as lifestyle changes that include: getting regular exercise quitting smoking eating a nutritious diet Intermediate Some people will start to notice mild symptoms at this stage, but others will not notice anything different with their vision. Some symptoms a person may notice include mild blurriness in their central vision and trouble seeing in low light. Advanced There is an association between advanced dry or wet AMD with significant central vision loss. A person may notice straight lines becoming wavy, large blurry areas or dark spots, and diminished colors. The following sections provide answers to frequently asked questions about AMD. Is wet or dry macular degeneration treatable? There is no treatment for the early stages of dry AMD, but people may benefit from eating nutritious foods, exercising, and quitting smoking, if they smoke. They should also get regular eye exams to monitor the progression. Intermediate dry AMD may benefit from AREDS 2, a supplement regimen that helps slow its progression. Advanced dry macular degeneration with geographic atrophy may benefit from the injectable medications pegcetacoplan and avacincaptad pegol. Ophthalmologists inject these medications directly into the eye once per month or every 2 months. Wet AMD often responds to anti-VEGF drug injections or photodynamic therapy (PDT). What type of macular degeneration is the most serious? Wet AMD is an advanced form of the condition, and experts generally consider it the most severe form. Treatments can help preserve vision and prevent vision loss. How do people cope with macular degeneration? Learning to live with vision loss due to AMD is possible. Many people benefit from assistive devices, such as magnifying glasses or specialized computers and screens. A person may also find that working with a vision rehabilitation specialist helps them better utilize their side vision. Macular degeneration is an age-related vision condition in which a person loses clarity in their central vision. The most common type is dry, which is divided into stages based on severity. Wet macular degeneration is an advanced form of the condition. A person can take steps to decrease their chances of developing macular degeneration. Diet, exercise, regular eye exams, and not smoking can help a person care for their eyes. Intermediate dry macular degeneration can benefit from a vitamin and mineral supplement called AREDS 2. Wet macular degeneration has two main treatment options that a doctor may recommend. A person should discuss their outlook and treatment plan with an eye doctor. They can recommend a schedule for eye exams, provide necessary treatments, and recommend other specialists, as needed.