AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION or AMD

I am favored in Jesus' Name!

what is AMD

• destruction of macula (responsible for central vision)

• -

• causes irrevesible central vision loss

2 types of AMD

• DRY

• WET

DRY AMD

• non exudative

• progressive thinning of macula

• close vision tasks become more difficult

• leads to progressive and painless vision loss

WET AMD

• Exudatve and more severe form

• rapid onset; progressed from the dry ama

• characterized by the development of abnormal blood vesssels in or near the macula

  -weak blood vessels, cause bledding and scarring

Etiology of AMD

• retinal aging

• genetic factors

• ultraviolet exposure or UV Light exposure
  
  DRY AMD

• Drusen or yellowish extracellular deposits

WET AMD

• growth of new, fragile blood vessels

• scar formation

clinical manifestations

• blurred ordarkneded vision loss

• scotoma or blind spots in the visual field

  • meta morphopsia or distortion of vision

DIAGNOSTICS

Opthalmoscopy

• primary dx procedure

• presence of drusen is assessed
  

Amsler Grid Test

• detects vision morphopsia

• results provides a baseline for future comparison|
  

Fundus Photography
- determines extent and type of AMD

Drug mgt

SELECTIVE INHIBITORS OF ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR
- slow vision loss in wet AMD

• RANIBIZUMAB

• BEVACIZUMAB

-injections are given at 4 to 6 weeks intervals

-ocular cohrence tomography

• to determine retinal instability

medical management

• photodynamic therapy

  • entails the use of vertiportin (Visodyne) IV and a cold laser to excite the dye

  • destroys abnormal blood vessels

Nursing Management

• PT must be covered since exposure to sunlight could result in thermal burns.

• diet must be rich in zinc to increase the subretinal fluid in the macula

• smoking cessation

• drive at day time at lower speeds