Age related macular degeneration Flashcards
1
Q
what is the most common cause of blindness in the UK?
A
age related macular degeneration
2
Q
Risk factors of ARMD
A
- advancing age
- smoking
- family history
- HTN
- dyslipidemia
- DM
- it is seen more in females and affects retinal photoreceptors and results in formation of drusen (small yellow or white spots on retina)
3
Q
Dry macular degeneration
A
- 90% of cases
- also known as atrophic
- characterised by drusen- yellow round spots
4
Q
Wet macular degeneration
A
- 10% of cases
- exudative or neovascular macular degeneration
- characterised by choroidal neovascularisation
- leakage can lead to rapid loss of vision
- worst prognosis
- well demarcated red patches
5
Q
Clinical features of ARMD
A
- gradual reduction in visual acuity in dry ARMD
- subacute reduction in visual acuity in wet ARMD
- deterioration in vision at night
- fluctuations in visual disturbance
- photopsia
- visual hallucinations- Charles- Bonnet syndrome
6
Q
Investigations in ARMD
A
- slit lamp microscopy (initial investigation)
7
Q
Management of ARMD
A
- VEGF in wet ARMD
- AREDS in dry ARMD
- laser photocoagulation slows the progression of ARMD but can cause acute visual loss
