UPDATE Macular Degeneration

Spring 2025

Living with Wet AMD

Tips for Maintaining Independence

By: Jarrod Long, Low Vision Optometrist

A diagnosis of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to mean giving up the activities you love. With the right strategies and support, individuals living with wet AMD can maintain independence and enjoy a fulfilling quality of life. Dr. Jarrod Long, a proud member of the International Academy of Low Vision Specialists (IALVS) since 2006, specializes in personalized solutions to help individuals with wet AMD thrive. Here are some practical tips from Midwest Low Vision to help you navigate life with wet AMD:

1. Enhance Your Home Environment

Small changes at home can make a big difference. Increase lighting in key areas like the kitchen, bathroom, and reading spaces. Use task-specific lighting, such as adjustable desk lamps, to reduce strain during activities. High- contrast settings—like using dark mats under light dishes—can help distinguish objects more clearly.

2. Utilize Low Vision Devices

Specialized low vision devices can make everyday tasks easier and more accessible. From electronic magnifiers to wearable technology, these devices can be tailored to your unique needs.

Dr. Long and the team at Midwest Low Vision provide a low vision evaluation to seek out and maximize remaining areas of vision – often in the periphery – to determine the best devices for your unique visual needs. Hands-free devices can look much like traditional glasses and can help you stay active and engaged despite your vision loss.

3. Stay Active and Engaged

Social connections and physical activity are crucial for maintaining overall well-being. Join support groups to connect with others who understand your challenges, or participate in fitness programs designed for individuals with low vision. Regular exercise not only boosts physical health but also supports emotional resilience.

4. Rely on Smart Technology

Smartphones and tablets offer numerous accessibility features, including voice commands, text-to-speech apps, and screen magnification. Simple tools like these can help you stay connected, manage tasks, and even navigate unfamiliar areas with ease. Dr. Long can provide recommendations for apps and tools that work well for wet AMD.

5. Prioritize Eye Health

Although wet AMD is a progressive condition, regular visits with your eye care team can help slow its progression. Follow your treatment plan, which may include injections or other therapies, and consider adopting a diet rich in leafy greens, omega-3 fatty acids, and other nutrients known to support eye health.

6. Seek Professional Guidance

The journey with wet AMD is unique to each person. A low vision optometrist can evaluate your needs and provide solutions that enable you to achieve your goals. Whether it’s reading a favorite book, enjoying family gatherings, or navigating daily tasks with confidence, personalized care is key.

Take the Next Step Toward

Independence Living with wet AMD doesn’t mean giving up your independence. With the right tools, techniques, and support, you can continue to live a vibrant and fulfilling life. Contact us today at 877-577-2040 to explore personalized solutions tailored to your needs. Dr. Long, Holly, and Annette are here to help you find the right devices and strategies to regain independence and improve your quality of life.

Let us help you take control and embrace the possibilities ahead! Permission was obtained from Dr. Long to use this article.

Chairman’s Corner:

Dear Friends,

The recent federal policy announcements and discussions about funding research have raised questions from our donors about the potential impact on biomedical research. As these changes unfold, we are actively monitoring developments and assessing how they may affect the Macular Degeneration Association (MDA) and the broader field.

The Macular Degeneration Association has never relied on federal funding to advance our mission, this is made possible by the generosity of our donors. We remain focused on advancing treatments and cures for all stages of age-related macular degeneration.

Sincerely,

Lawrence S. Hoffheimer

Chairman

FALL LEAVES, PUMPKINS, AND MACULAR PIGMENT

Julie Poteet, OD, MS, CNS, FOWNS

What do Fall leaves, pumpkins, and the human macula all have in common? They all get their color from carotenoids, which are the pigments in nature that produce the yellow, orange, and red colors in plants, vegetables, and fruits. During the Fall season, the beautiful orange and yellow carotenoids that are present in the leaves all year long are put on display as the chlorophyll, whose bright green color masks the carotenoids in the other seasons, breaks down allowing us to be able to see nature’s other colors. Pumpkins, our most popular Fall fruit, get their orange color from the carotenoid beta-carotene, which also gives us the orange of carrots. The human macula, the yellow spot in the retina where central vision originates, gets its color from the carotenoids lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin.

Carotenoids Sustain the Integrity of the Retina

There are approximately 20 different carotenoids from our diets that are found in our blood, where two of those (lutein and zeaxanthin) concentrate in the eye and brain. Carotenoids are divided into two groups: xanthophylls (such as lutein and zeaxanthin) and carotenes (such as beta carotene and lycopene). Xanthophylls are the yellow, orange, and red hues of flowers, fruits, vegetables, egg yolks, feathers, shells, or flesh of some animal species. The xanthophyll carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, as well as an isomer of lutein, meso-zeaxanthin, serve an important role in sustaining the integrity of the retina and brain.

Eye Benefits of Xanthophylls

1. Macular Pigment Density: Lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin are concentrated in the macula where they serve as internal sunglasses filtering blue light and protecting this highly metabolic tissue from oxidative damage.
2. Reduce Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): Multiple studies have found that higher levels of lutein and zeaxanthin are associated with a decreased risk of AMD.
3. Improved Visual Function: Higher dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin have been linked to improved visual functioning, including increased contrast sensitivity and better visual acuity.
4. Reduced Risk of Cataracts: Some studies suggest that lutein and zeaxanthin may also have a protective effect against cataracts, which everyone will eventually develop at some time during the aging process.
5. Reduced Inflammation: Lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, which prevents damage to the retina and other ocular tissues.

Brain Benefits of Xanthophylls

1. Antioxidant Activity: The same antioxidant properties of lutein and zeaxanthin in the eye benefit the brain where they neutralize free radicals that damage cells and tissue. Free radical damage is the leading cause of age-

related cognitive decline.

2. Anti-Inflammatory Activity: Lutein and zeaxanthin also have anti-inflammatory properties that protect the brain from chronic inflammation, which is linked to cognitive decline.
3. Neural Protection: Lutein and zeaxanthin have been shown to protect neurons in the brain, helping to maintain cognitive function and memory. Depending on age, lutein and zeaxanthin together make up approximately 35%-60% of the total carotenoids found in the brain. Lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin are found throughout the retina and concentrate in the fovea where they preserve vision in aging eyes. Although it is better to obtain nutrients from diet, our Standard American Diets are too often deficient in adequate amounts of nutrients needed to maintain the health of highly metabolic tissues such as those found in the eyes and brain. Nutrient deficiencies in the elderly are even more common. This is where supplementation can help preserve not only vision but cognitive abilities as well.

Foods Highest in Lutein and Zeaxanthin

Since lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso- zeaxanthin are so important for eye health, a diet rich in foods containing these carotenoids is important. Our bodies cannot make lutein or zeaxanthin and we must rely on diet to supply these. Meso-zeaxanthin is not typically found in our diets, but it is converted from dietary lutein so adequate amounts of lutein are extremely important for meso-zeaxanthin as well. The chart below shows foods that are highest in lutein and zeaxanthin. It is important to remember that we need fats such as olive oil for proper absorption of these carotenoids.

 

“Using Artificial Intelligence to Investigate the Real-world effect of Anti-complement Medications on Retinal Photoreceptor Survival in Patients with Geographic Atrophy”

Principal Investigator: Jeremiah Brown, Jr., MS, MD

It is notable that the rate of progression of geographic atrophy varies amongst patients, amongst lesion types and amongst lesion patterns. Some patients are slow progressors and others progress more quickly. Patients with multifocal lesions progress faster than patients with single lesions. Patients with subfoveal lesions progress more slowly than patients with lesions outside the fovea. Large lesions tend to progress more quickly than small lesions. The current anticomplement therapies appear to slow progression in all patients, but to varying degrees depending upon the lesion types. Patients with a larger rim of photoreceptor degeneration determined by OCT analysis of the ellipsoid zone compared to the size of the RPE defect tend to progress faster than patients where the photoreceptor degeneration size more closely matches the size of the RPE cell defect. In clinical practice, it has become interesting to note that some patients report visual improvement once initiating therapy with the current anticomplement medications. Some of these patients may demonstrate improved visual acuity, others report that the “quality” of their vision is better or that their contrast sensitivity has improved after starting therapy. Our goal is to better understand what is occurring at the level of the photoreceptors and RPE in patients treated with anticomplement therapies and determine if we can predict which patients are more likely to experience improvement in visual acuity. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) offer new opportunities to deepen our understanding of these complex biological processes. In the context of anti- complement drugs, AI can be particularly useful for modeling the dynamic interactions between complement activation and photoreceptor survival, helping to identify patterns involved in disease progression and drug efficacy. This research protocol aims to utilize AI-driven approaches to investigate the impact of anti-complement therapies pegcetacoplan and avacincaptad pegol on photoreceptor (ellipsoid zone) and RPE degeneration through segmentation of the outer retinal layer images on OCT b scans. The findings from this research could not only enhance our understanding of the biological mechanisms driving retinal degeneration but also aid in the development research protocols taking into consideration baseline patient characteristics. This will aid in the development of personalized anti- complement therapies.

Research funded by the Macular Degeneration Association

Lawrence Hoffheimer, Chairman of the Board for the

Macular Degeneration Association is proud to announce:

MATTERS OF VISION 2025!

Program ScheduleProgram Schedule

All programs are Free and will start at 8:30 am with breakfast.

Registration is required. Please call (855) 962-2852 to reserve your seat(s).

April 12th Huntsville, AL-Doubletree Suites by Hilton Huntsville South-6000

Memorial Parkway SW, Huntsville, AL

April 26th Little Rock, AK-Hilton Garden Inn North Little Rock- 4100 Glover

Lane North, Little Rock, AK

May 10th Denver-Aurora, CO- Doubletree by Hilton Denver-Aurora-13696

East Iliff Place, Aurora, CO

The following dates are being worked on and will be completed soon (subjected to changes).

June 14th Bloomington, IN

June 28th Cedar Rapids, IA

July 12th Lexington, KY

Aug. 9th Lafayette, LA

Aug. 23rd Bosie, ID

Sept. 6th Santa Ana, CA – Dr. Rathod

Sept. 20th Tampa, FL – Dr. Eichenbaum

Oct. 4th San Antonio, TX – Dr. Brown, Jr.

Oct. 18th Gainesville, FL – Dr. Kay

Please visit our website MacularHope.org/programs/ for additional in-person & virtual programs.

Registration required for all programs. (Conference dates and locations subject to change.)

To register for in-person programs please call (855)962-2852.

Please visit our website to register for virtual programs.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Macular Degeneration Awareness Month

Here is important information about macular degeneration. which is known as the number one cause of irreversible blindness and visual impairment in the older population. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the most common blinding conditions around the world. Here are the known statistics: Globally, about 200 million people have age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and this number is expected to increase to 288 million by 2040. In the United States, nearly 20 million adults have AMD.

Macular degeneration can cause loss of central vision, with the inability to read, see faces, or drive. Though there are many risk factors for AMD, some modifiable and some not.

The top 10 risk factors for macular degeneration include:

Age > 70

Family history of AMD

Genetic variants

Smoking

Females more than males

A diet poor in select nutrients

Obesity with Body Mass Index

(BMI) > 30

Hypertension

Lack of exercise

High-fat diet

Of the risk factors listed above, 6 of them are under your control. Follow the Mediterranean Diet, Exercise (walk around two block 2-3 times a week), keep your blood pressure under control and watch your weight.

 

HOW TO GIVE

 

Phone, Mail or Online

Phone: Please call (941)893-4387 today to speak to one of our Donor Services Representatives.

Mail: Send your check or money order today payable to:

MACULAR DEGENERATION ASSOCIATION

5969 Cattleridge Boulevard, Suite 100 | Sarasota, FL 34232

Online: Please visit www.macularhope.org today and click on the Donation tab.

Stocks, Securities, Mutual Funds and IRAs

Please give serious consideration to the donation of stock and mutual fund shares as this offers numerous opportunities

to make a most gracious gift and receive tax advantages.

Wills, Bequests and Planned Gifts

Please give serious consideration to the designation of MDA in your Will, Charitable Trusts, Life Insurance, Appreciated

Securities and Real Estate as this offers preplanned giving opportunities that will serve the macular community for

years to come. Please call Lynne Henry (941)893-4389 at the Macular Degeneration Association, today, for personal

assistance in initiating this effort.

The following language has been reviewed and is deemed a legally acceptable form for including such a bequest in a will:

“I give and bequeath to the Macular Degeneration Association, 5969 Cattleridge Blvd. Suite # 100 Sarasota, FL 34232

for discretionary use in carrying out its aims and purposes, (the sum of $_____) or ( a sum equal to _______% of

the value of my gross estate at the time of my death under this will or any codicil hereto).”

The Macular Degeneration Association Federal ID number is 27-3025707

 

MEMORIAL AND HONOR GIVING

 

Honor a family member, friend or special event by donating to MDA. Pay tribute to someone you love whose life

has been impacted by macular degeneration. In lieu of flowers, please consider designating Macular Degeneration

Association as your charity of choice.

 

WORKPLACE GIVING

 

Launch a Giving Campaign

Please consider leading a team at work by encouraging your colleagues and staff to join together to help those

living with macular degeneration. Launch a workplace giving campaign today.

Ask about Matching Gifts

Many gracious employers double or even triple charitable donations made by individual employees. Some companies

will match gifts made by retirees and or their spouses. Contact your employer for matching gift eligibility

as this allows you to maximize your personal donation.

 

Thank you!