2
Î Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disorder of the macula
characterized by one or more of the following:
• Presence of at least intermediate-size drusen (≥63 μm in diameter)
• Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) abnormalities such as hypopigmentation or
hyperpigmentation
• Reticular pseudodrusen
• Presence of any of the following features: geographic atrophy of the RPE,
choroidal neovascularization (exudative, wet), polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy,
or retinal angiomatous proliferation
Figure 1. Macular Degeneration
A retina showing dry macular
degeneration with deposits, called
drusen.
Wet macular degeneration revealing
scarring and hemorrhaging on the
retina.
Etiology
Risk Factors
Î Smoking cessation is strongly recommended when advising patients.
(I++, G, S)
Î In light of all the available information on the subject of aspirin use and
age-related macular degeneration (AMD), current recommendations
are for those patients who have been instructed to use aspirin by a
physician to continue their aspirin therapy as prescribed. (II++, G, S)
Î Routine genetic testing for risk alleles is not currently recommended
for patients with AMD. (III, In, D)
Natural History
Î Reticular pseudodrusen are best imaged using fundus autofluorescence,
infrared reflectance, and/or spectral domain optical coherence
tomography (SD-OCT) imaging. (III, M, D)
Diagnosis
© 2014 American Academy of Ophthalmolog y © 2014 American Academy of Ophthalmolog y
