Age-Related Macular Degeneration Warning for People Aged 65 and Over

The Turkish Ophthalmology Association emphasized that people aged 65 and older should pay attention to their eye health, a concern that has remained on the agenda throughout the pandemic. The association highlighted that macular degeneration is prevalent in this age group and stressed that vitamins and nutritional supplements used in treating the disease must be taken under medical supervision. During the pandemic days when people aged 65 and older have been frequently discussed, "macular degeneration" and the vitamins to be used—conditions more common in this age group—have emerged as important topics that eye doctors are consulted about. Prof. Dr. Hakan Özdemir, Member of the Medical Retina Unit Executive Board from the Turkish Ophthalmology Association, which represents Turkish eye doctors, provided information on macular degeneration and drew attention to micronutrition practices that define correct vitamin use.

What is macular degeneration?

Prof. Özdemir defined the disease as follows: "The macula, or commonly known as the 'yellow spot,' is a small area located in the retina at the back of the eye where vision occurs, responsible for sharp and color vision. Macular degeneration is named after this area and refers to a disease that results from damage to the receptors that perceive light and color as age advances. The medical name of the disease is age-related macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is particularly an irreversible retinal disease that occurs after age 65. It is one of the most important causes of blindness in developed countries."

The disease has two types

Prof. Dr. Hakan Özdemir said, "The disease has two types: dry and wet. The dry type is seen much more frequently than the wet type, accounting for 85-90 percent," and noted that various factors may play a leading role in the development of macular degeneration. Özdemir stated that aging, smoking, genetic factors, and prolonged exposure to sunlight are among the primary causes.

How is it recognized?

Macular degeneration can be detected during routine eye examination without presenting any signs or symptoms. However, it can also present with various symptoms such as reduced color sensitivity, seeing straight lines as broken or wavy, light sensitivity, and problems with central vision. Difficulty in reading stands out as another important symptom. The diagnosis of macular degeneration is made by an eye doctor.

What is the treatment?

Prof. Özdemir said, "In the treatment of macular degeneration, wet-type and dry-type macular degeneration differ," and noted that in wet-type macular degeneration, intraocular injection (anti-VEGF) therapy is applied to prevent neovascularization and disease progression.

Micronutrition for dry type

However, currently there is no medication or surgical treatment for dry-type macular degeneration. The approach that can be applied to prevent disease progression is the intake of vitamins and other nutritional supplements beneficial for the retina. This approach is called micronutrition.

What is micronutrition?

Prof. Dr. Hakan Özdemir clarified micronutrition with these words: "Nutrition, as is known, means diet. 'Micro' here is used to mean scarce or rare. This is because the nutritional supplements and vitamins given in micronutrition are present in very small amounts in the body. For some of them, it is not even possible to obtain the desired doses through normal diet. Micronutrition is an approach that slows the progression of macular degeneration. There is considerable scientific evidence on this subject."

Regular medical supervision is essential

Prof. Özdemir warned that products used in micronutrition treatment, which is of critical importance, must be used only on the recommendation of an eye doctor. Özdemir also emphasized that it is extremely important for macular degeneration patients receiving micronutrition treatment to undergo examination at the intervals determined by their doctors.