Vision risks after age 50

The ophthalmologist Beatriz Fernandez-Vegaof the Fernández-Vega Ophthalmological Institutehas warned about visual signals such as the perception of straight and wavy lines, a phenomenon known as metamorphopsia, or loss of central vision, which may be the initial symptoms of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) for which it is recommended to seek consultation as soon as possible.

On the occasion of World Retina Daywhich is celebrated this Sunday, the Institute has recalled that the AMD It is the most common cause of legal blindness in over 55 years. Thus, although its cause is unknown, aging is the main risk factor for this pathology of the macula.

As Fernández-Vega explained, the macula is responsible for central vision, the perception of details and the ability to distinguish colors, all essential for everyday activities such as reading, driving or recognizing faces. Therefore, its impact directly impacts the quality of life.

Regarding AMD, he has detailed that it is currently classified into three stages according to its severity, these are early AMD, intermediate AMD and advanced AMD. The latter includes geographic macular atrophy and choroidal neovascularization, previously defined as dry and wet.

Along with age, Beatriz Fernández-Vega has specified that there are other risk factors for the development of AMD, such as genetics, smoking and, to a lesser extent, arteriosclerosis, obesity, high blood pressure, a high-fat diet or low plasma concentration of antioxidants and zinc, among others.

Review and available treatments

The ophthalmologist has urged you to go to a specialist if you detect alterations in visionwith the aim of being able to diagnose this or other pathologies early and initiate timely treatment as soon as possible. At this point, he has recommended undergoing periodic check-ups, especially after age 50.

To make a correct diagnosis of AMD, he has detailed that you must begin by visiting the retinologist, who will perform a optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angio and a fundus examination with pupil dilation, as well as a visual acuity examination with ETDRS optotype if possible.

Regarding the available treatments, he pointed out that, currently, dry AMD does not have a cure. Despite this, nutritional supplements based on antioxidants and zinc have been shown to delay progression in certain stages of the disease.

Furthermore, clinical trials with gene therapies and neuroprotective molecules offer promising prospects for preserving macular function.

Regarding wet AMD, the introduction of antiangiogenic drugs (anti-VEGF) has represented a radical change. These medications, administered through intravitreal injectionsinhibit the formation of abnormal blood vessels and have allowed vision to be preserved and even improved in many patients.

In this case, research trends are moving towards gene therapies and prolonged-release drugs that reduce the frequency of injections, improving the quality of life of patients.

Focus on prevention

From the Fernández-Vega Ophthalmological Institute they have pointed out the risk posed by other pathologies, such as diabetic retinopathythe main cause of blindness in the working-age population; retinitis pigmentosa, a hereditary disease that causes progressive degeneration of photoreceptors; or retinal detachment, an ophthalmological emergency that requires surgery to try to preserve vision.

For this reason, they have emphasized the importance of taking care of visual health through good prevention habits, which include protecting the eyes from solar radiation, controlling risk factors such as diabetes and smokingand maintain a balanced diet, in order to reduce the risk of complications.