As the leading cause of vision loss in older adults, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common reason patients are referred to Texas Retina. It happens when the central part of the retina, called the macula, is damaged. There are two forms of the disease. Dry AMD is the most common and is characterized by accumulation of yellow deposits called drusen, thinning of the macula, and gradual deterioration of central vision. Everyone with AMD starts out with the dry form, and about 10-15% will go on to develop wet AMD, a more serious form of the disease where abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina. These can leak, causing accumulation of blood or other fluid which damages the macula and results in loss of central vision.
Fortunately, we have several effective treatment options for wet AMD. However, monitoring dry AMD and catching any progression to wet AMD early is critical to protecting as much vision as possible. In addition to an Amsler Grid, ForeseeHome is one of the tools some of our physicians use to help monitor patients with intermediate dry AMD who are at high risk of progressing to wet AMD. It is an FDA-approved, in-home device designed to be used by patients between office visits to check for changes in their central vision that they may not detect on their own.
You can learn more about AMD and treatment options here.