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Dry macular degeneration is a slowly progressive disease of the retina which causes loss of central vision. This is usually age related. The eye is like a camera with the retina acting as the film at the back of the eye, which processes pictures and sends them to the brain.
There are 2 types of macular degeneration; wet and dry.
Dry macular degeneration may cause slow and progressive damage to the film (retina) and cause central visual distortion or even blank patches in the centre of your vision. 
Dry macular degeneration usually does not affect your peripheral (outer) vision.
There is no cure for dry macular degeneration but some aids like stronger glasses, magnifying glasses, telescopic lenses and illuminated magnifiers may help with vision and reading etc. These are sometimes called low visual aids.
Usually large print books or electronic devices (like e-readers or computers) may help in reading by enlarging the font.
You may be given an Amsler chart (see below) to look out for visual distortion and to detect development of wet macular degeneration, which is much more serious and causes more rapid visual loss. The wet macular degeneration may need injection treatment to limit some visual loss.
Treatment for dry macular degeneration
There is some evidence that high dose vitamin supplements may help to retard or stabilise the progression of macular degeneration.
In general, studies show 20% of people with dry AMD benefitting from vitamin supplements. Conversely this means that 80% of people will not derive any benefits from taking high dose vitamins for dry AMD. A few people may come to harm because of high dose vitamin supplements. If you do decide to take these vitamin supplements, please contact your eye doctor who should be able to advise you. Please note that vitamins are usually not prescribed on the NHS and so these will have to be paid for by the patient.
Groups of people who should not take high dose vitamins are smokers, who may have a higher risk of lung cancer. There is a suggestion that diabetics and people with certain heart conditions may be at an increased risk of heart failure with high doses of vitamin E.
I recommend a balanced diet to everyone, especially green vegetables and fish to patients with dry macular degeneration.
I also advise cessation of smoking, which may benefit macular degeneration.
A new type of injection treatment for dry macular degeneration has first-ever drug to treat dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has been approved in the US.Pegcetacoplan, known as Syfovre, was cleared for use in patients by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The OAKS and DERBY clinical trials concluded that treatment with pegcetacoplan reduced the rate of progression of late-stage dry AMD, often referred to as geographic atrophy (GA). However, the results showed that pegcetacoplan did not lead to a change in how well the participants could see during their vision tests.
This is not yet available for use in the UK.
Although dry AMD is not reversible, it would be sensible to keep your glasses up to date. If you have cataracts, cataract extraction and an appropriate lens implant may help. Although the central visual loss may not be recoverable , the overall vision might be improved by improving brightness and perception of colours.
Amsler Chart: Self testing for macular degeneration
You must cover one eye at a time, and test separately. If the doctor has told you that only one eye need to be checked, it is still important to cover the other eye.
There is a small black dot in the center of the grid. While looking at the center, you should be able see all the lines in the grid. All the lines make perfectly straight squares. If, while looking at the middle or the center of the grid, you notice that any of the lines are missing, bent, bowed, or distorted in any way, and is new, you should your eye doctor for an appointment to come in as soon as possible.
Instructions on using the chart
You should tell your optometrist as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:
It is most important to act quickly if you see any new changes on the Amsler Grid, as this may be an early sign of wet macular degeneration. If you have some distortion on the grid already, which is constant and has not changed, then do not worry. Please contact your optician for further assessment, if in doubt.
Recommended patient groups
Macular disease society
http://www.maculardisease.org/ helpline 0845 241 2041
Surrey society of the visual impaired. (SAVI) http://www.surreywebsight.org.uk/
Contacts
Mr MU Saeed Consultant Ophthalmologist
contact@londoneyedoctors.co.uk
07969166551
For an appointment @ Sefton Suite Liverpool 01512576700