Intermediate AMD

Intermediate AMD is more advanced than the early form of AMD and it is characterized by larger drusen, many drusen, or pigmentary changes in the macula.

 

Many people with intermediate AMD have no symptoms at all. One of the first things you may notice is a problem adjusting from light to dark environments. For example, you may notice you have trouble reading a menu when you go into a dimly lit restaurant, or you may notice problems when you are driving and enter a dark tunnel. This is called “prolonged photo stress recovery” or “delayed dark adaptation.” You may also experience difficulty reading and sensitivity to bright light. These symptoms are not normal signs of aging and you should talk to your doctor about any changes in vision right away. There are currently no treatments for the early and intermediate forms of AMD. You are only eligible for treatment if your AMD progresses to the advanced, “wet” form of AMD (also called exudative or neovascular AMD).

 

Daily monitoring of intermediate AMD is important to detect the visual changes that may occur when advanced AMD develops. You can track the progression of intermediate AMD at home by using an Amsler Grid (available for download here). You can track changes in your vision by noting whether the straight lines become wavy or distorted by looking at this grid daily. If you notice changes in the lines, talk to your doctor right away. There are also new at home-monitoring devices that facilitate the early detection of macular changes in intermediate AMD. ForeseeHome is a non-invasive monitoring device that can be used at home daily (learn more click here).   If you have intermediate AMD, talk to your doctor about the AREDS or AREDS2 vitamin formulas.

 

These vitamin formulas are a combination of antioxidants and zinc, and have been shown to effectively reduce the risk of the progression of intermediate AMD to the more advanced forms. AREDS vitamins were shown to reduce the relative risk of advanced AMD by 25 percent in studies of those with intermediate AMD. This large-scale study was conducted by the National Eye Institute (a part of the National Institutes of Health). The AREDS or AREDS2 vitamin formulas are available over-the-counter at the pharmacy or for purchase online.