This booklet is for people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and their families and friends. It provides information about AMD and answers questions about its causes and symptoms. Diagnosis and types of treatment are also described.

Read this booklet online, or download it, by following the links below. Age-related Macular Degeneration: What you should know is available as a PDF, a DAISY Digital Talking Book with narrated audio and NCC structure, or as a Microsoft Word file.

Age-related Macular Degeneration (PDF, 589.0 kB)
Age-related Macular Degeneration (DAISY - narrated audio with NCC structure, .zip, 7.5 MB)
Age-related Macular Degeneration (Word, 89.0 kB)

Contents

• What is age-related macular degeneration? - 4
• Where is the macula? - 4
• Are there different forms of AMD? - 5
• How do I know I have AMD - 5
• What is wet AMD? - 6
• What is dry AMD? - 7
• What are drusen? - 8
• Frequently asked questions about wet and dry AMD - 9
  • The dry form has early and intermediate stages. Does the wet form have similar stages? - 9
  • Can advanced AMD be either the dry or the wet form? - 9
  • Which is more common - the dry form or the wet form? - 9
  • Can the dry form turn into the wet form? - 9
  • Who is at risk for AMD? - 10
• How is AMD detected? - 10
• Treatment for AMD - 12
  • How is dry AMD treated? - 12
  • What is the dosage of the AREDS formulation? - 12
  • Who should take the AREDS formulation? - 13
  • Can people with early stage AMD take the AREDS formulation to help prevent the disease from progressing to the intermediate stage? - 13
  • Can diet alone provide the same high levels of antioxidants and zinc as the AREDS formulation? - 14
  • Can a daily multivitamin alone provide the same high levels of antioxidants and zinc as the AREDS formulation? - 14
  • How is wet AMD treated? - 14
  • What can I do if I already have lost some vision from AMD? - 16
• What research is being done? - 17
• What can I do to protect my vision? - 17
• Amsler eye grid exam - 19
• The things I can do to make a difference - 20
• What should I ask my eye care professional? - 20
• Where can I get more information? - 23

The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB) plays a key role in reducing vision impairment and blindness through undertaking health promotion activities in partnership with other organisations. We also aim to raise awareness about preventable eye conditions. This booklet is one of five in the series of information booklets on the main eye conditions that can lead to blindness: Glaucoma, Cataracts, Retinitis Pigmentosa, Diabetic Reinopathy and Age-related Macular Degeneration.

For more information about the RNZFB, contact:

Technology, Employment and Awareness division
Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind
Private Bag 99941, Newmarket, Auckland

Telephone: (09) 355 6900 or 0800 24 33 33

Email: cea

Website: www.rnzfb.org.nz