Unfortunately age related macular degeneration can affect
the other eye. See healthy lifestyle above:
this may help. If you do notice a change in your sight, see distortion above. See
a search . Risk
from drusen.
- The atrophic or dry type usually does occur in both
eyes, but remember this generally gets only slowly worse.
- There may be a gap of years before the process begins in the second
eye.
Concerning neovascular or wet type ARMD....
- The neovascular or wet type can also affect the other
eye, at an overall rate of 90% over the next 5 years.
- High blood pressure, one large drusen near the fovea, 5 drusen in
the macular area, and retinal pigment epithelial changes each contribute
to this 90%.
- So if you have only one of these risk factors, such as 5 drusen and
a low blood pressure and don't smoke, then the progression rate is
90/4, that is about 23% over a 5 year period . If you have 2 risk factors,
45%.
- But if you have 2 risk factors (45% 5 year risk) and your partner
smokes 20/day, your risk is 45 x2 = 90% over 5 years...see
immediately below.
- The figure is 4 times higher for smokers, and twice as high for passive
smokers. (If smoking at 20 cigarettes/day.)
- the active phase may last 3-12 months, with the sight deteriorating
during this time, and after that they may be little change. Treatment
(laser & drugs) is needed during the active phase, and is of no
help later. Anti-VEGF treatment may be needed for 2 years.
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