Age Related Macular Degeneration Essay
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Age- related macular degeneration (AMD), a chronic, progressive disorder of the retina, is the most common cause of blindness in individuals over the age of 60. The macula is the part of the retina which provides high resolution color vision (Redmond &While 2008). As the macula degenerates, individuals lose their central vision and color vision. There are two types of macular degeneration: wet, or choroidal neovascularization and dry, or nonneovascular . Dry AMD is the more common of the two types, occurring roughly 80-90% of the time. The hallmark sign of dry AMD is the appearance of drusen. These are whitish-yellow lipid deposits on the macula. These deposits can lift the retinal pigmented epithelium away from the choroidal circulation, causing it to deteriorate (Redmond &While 2008). Dry AMD can progress to the wet form, which occurs in 10-20% of …show more content…
Feret, A, Steinweg, S, Griffin, H.C>, & Glover, S. (2007). Macular degeneration: types, causes, and possible interventions. Geriatric Nursing, 28(6), 387-392. (Feret, Steinweg, Griffin, & Glover, 2007)
2. Young, J.S. (2008). Age related eye diseases: a review of current treatment and recommendations for low-vision aids. Home Healthcare Nurse, 26(8), 454-473. (Young, 2008)
3. Moore, L.W., & Miller, M. (2005). Driving strategies used by older adults with macular degeneration: assessing the risks. Applied Nursing Research, 18, 110-116.
4. Redmond, N., & While, A. (2008). Age related macular degeneration: visual impairment with advancing age. British Journal of Community Nursing, 13(2), 68-75.
5. Covell, C.A., Graziano, J., Rich, D., & Tobin, K.A. (2007). New outlook for age-related macular degeneration. Nursing2007, 37(3), 22-24.
6. Christensen, B.L., & Kockrow, E.O. (Ed.). (2006). Adult health nursing, fifth edition. St. Louis, Missouri: Mosby Elsevier.
(2007). Alternative therapies. Retrieved from
Age- related macular degeneration (AMD), a chronic, progressive disorder of the retina, is the most common cause of blindness in individuals over the age of 60. The macula is the part of the retina which provides high resolution color vision (Redmond &While 2008). As the macula degenerates, individuals lose their central vision and color vision. There are two types of macular degeneration: wet, or choroidal neovascularization and dry, or nonneovascular . Dry AMD is the more common of the two types, occurring roughly 80-90% of the time. The hallmark sign of dry AMD is the appearance of drusen. These are whitish-yellow lipid deposits on the macula. These deposits can lift the retinal pigmented epithelium away from the choroidal circulation, causing it to deteriorate (Redmond &While 2008). Dry AMD can progress to the wet form, which occurs in 10-20% of …show more content…
Feret, A, Steinweg, S, Griffin, H.C>, & Glover, S. (2007). Macular degeneration: types, causes, and possible interventions. Geriatric Nursing, 28(6), 387-392. (Feret, Steinweg, Griffin, & Glover, 2007)
2. Young, J.S. (2008). Age related eye diseases: a review of current treatment and recommendations for low-vision aids. Home Healthcare Nurse, 26(8), 454-473. (Young, 2008)
3. Moore, L.W., & Miller, M. (2005). Driving strategies used by older adults with macular degeneration: assessing the risks. Applied Nursing Research, 18, 110-116.
4. Redmond, N., & While, A. (2008). Age related macular degeneration: visual impairment with advancing age. British Journal of Community Nursing, 13(2), 68-75.
5. Covell, C.A., Graziano, J., Rich, D., & Tobin, K.A. (2007). New outlook for age-related macular degeneration. Nursing2007, 37(3), 22-24.
6. Christensen, B.L., & Kockrow, E.O. (Ed.). (2006). Adult health nursing, fifth edition. St. Louis, Missouri: Mosby Elsevier.
(2007). Alternative therapies. Retrieved from