Doctors use classifications so that we have a common language or terminology when we refer to eyes with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). There have been several classifications over the years. Some are very detailed and designed for research, while others are intended for clinical use by your doctor in the office. The most widely used classification is based on the features of AMD visible in the macular portion of the retina, located at the back of your eye. In general, AMD is classified as early, intermediate and advanced AMD. The advanced stage of AMD has both dry and wet forms.
Eighty to ninety percent of AMD cases are the dry form. In early dry AMD, small drusen (protein and lipid deposits) begin to form in the macula. Eyes at this stage have no loss of vision or visual changes. As the disease progresses to intermediate dry AMD, drusen increase in number and size, and there can be clumps of pigment that form in the macula from damaged cells as well. In this stage, there can be mild visual distortion, but eyes can also be asymptomatic. This stage puts eyes at risk of developing advanced AMD as the disease progresses.
Advanced AMD can be dry or wet. Advanced dry AMD develops slowly and there can be thinning or atrophy in the macula. In the advanced stage, vision loss can occur and can be significant especially if the eye has progressed to wet.
Advanced wet AMD is the most vision threatening form of the disease. In this stage, abnormal blood vessels grow in or under the retina. These vessels leak blood and fluid and, if left untreated, can permanently damage the retina and lead to permanent vision loss.
Because studies show that treating wet AMD early leads to better visual outcomes, and because conversion can occur suddenly and at any time, ForeseeHome was developed to help with early detection of wet AMD to give patients the benefit of early treatment should they convert.
ForeseeHome is cleared by the FDA to monitor eyes with intermediate dry AMD as these are the eyes at risk of conversion to wet AMD. The good news is that there are very effective treatments for wet AMD, and vision can be preserved with these treatments if wet disease is caught early while the vision is still good. ForeseeHome, when added to your doctor’s standard care plan, has been shown to do just that—help with early detection of wet AMD while your visual acuity is still good.
