Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in people over 60 in high-income countries. It affects the macula — the small central region of the retina responsible for the sharp, detailed vision used for reading, recognising faces, driving, and other visually demanding tasks. While AMD does not cause total blindness (peripheral vision is generally preserved), significant central vision loss can have a profound impact on independence and quality of life.
Types
AMD exists in two main forms. Dry AMD (also called atrophic AMD) accounts for approximately 85% of cases and involves the gradual accumulation of small deposits called drusen beneath the retina, leading to slow atrophy of retinal cells. Vision loss in dry AMD tends to be gradual. In a proportion of cases, dry AMD progresses to wet AMD (neovascular AMD), in which abnormal new blood vessels grow beneath the macula. These vessels leak fluid and blood, causing rapid and severe distortion and loss of central vision. Wet AMD, though less common, is responsible for the majority of serious vision loss attributable to AMD.
Risk factors
Advancing age is the most important risk factor. Smoking is the strongest modifiable risk factor — smokers have up to four times the risk of developing AMD compared to non-smokers. Other risk factors include a family history of AMD, fair skin and light-coloured eyes, hypertension, obesity, a diet low in fruit and vegetables, and prolonged ultraviolet light exposure.
Symptoms
Early dry AMD may cause no noticeable symptoms. As the condition progresses, central vision becomes blurred or distorted — straight lines may appear wavy (a symptom called metamorphopsia), and a blank or dark spot (scotoma) may develop in the centre of the visual field. Difficulty reading and recognising faces is common. Symptoms often start in one eye but the other eye is frequently affected in time.
Choosing where to be treated
Use our independent directory to compare licensed organisations in Turkey, or read our selection guide before you decide.