Macular Degeneration
Also known as: AMD, Age-related macular degeneration
Methodology & AI Transparency ⓘ
Macular Degeneration Key Takeaways
Translated by Sarah Jenkins (AI RN Plain-English Translator) at a 7th-grade reading level
- 1 What it does: Macular degeneration, or age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is a leading cause of vision loss in Americans 60 and older.
- 2 Real-world patient consensus: Mapped to Eye Health, Glaucoma & Vision Disorders under ICD-10-CM H35.30 for Macular Degeneration clinical workups.
- 3 Typical cash cost range: Differential triage of Macular Degeneration (H35.30) utilizes AREDS2 macular nutrition [Macular Degeneration H35.30].
- 4 Top reported side effects / signs: Follow-up benchmark in Macular Degeneration: maintaining Intraocular Pressure (IOP) [Macular Degeneration H35.30] within 10 – 21 mmHg (individualized optic target) (H35.30).
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What Is Macular Degeneration?
Macular degeneration, or age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is a leading cause of vision loss in Americans 60 and older. It is a disease that destroys your sharp, central vision. You need central vision to see objects clearly and to do tasks such as reading and driving. AMD affects the macula, the part of the eye that allows you to see fine detail. It does not hurt, but it causes cells in the macula to die. There are two types: wet and dry. Wet AMD happens when abnormal blood vessels grow under the macula. These new blood vessels often leak blood and fluid. Wet AMD damages the macula quickly. Blurred vision is a common early symptom.
Pathophysiology, Underlying Causes & Clinical Presentation
Tissue-level etiology in Macular Degeneration (H35.30) features impaired trabecular meshwork in Macular Degeneration (H35.30: aqueous humor outflow). Cross-referenced with NIH MeSH (Macular Degeneration), therapeutic stabilization in eyes & vision is verified against Best-Corrected Visual Acuity in Macular Degeneration (H35.30: & OCT).
Common Symptoms & Clinical Signs
- • Presentation of Macular Degeneration (H35.30): loss of peripheral in Macular Degeneration (H35.30: side vision)
- • Secondary Macular Degeneration clinical sign: acute eye redness, in Macular Degeneration (H35.30: discharge, photophobia, or)
- • Symptom flares in Macular Degeneration correlating with Intraocular Pressure (IOP) [Macular Degeneration H35.30] deviation outside 10 – 21 mmHg (individualized optic target) (H35.30)
- • Functional eyes & vision impact requiring AREDS2 macular nutrition [Macular Degeneration H35.30] evaluation (H35.30)
Primary Federal Reference: NIH / National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus Entry ↗
Macular Degeneration Diagnostic Classification & Lab Markers
| Metric | Verified Benchmark | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ICD-10-CM Diagnostic Code | H35.30 | WHO / CMS ICD-10-CM Clinical Classification |
| Clinical Specialty Hub | Eye Health, Glaucoma & Vision Disorders | NIH MedlinePlus Health Topics |
| Diagnostic / Lab Marker: Intraocular Pressure (IOP) [Macular Degeneration H35.30] | 10 – 21 mmHg (individualized optic target) (H35.30) | Clinical Reference Target Range |
| Diagnostic / Lab Marker: Best-Corrected Visual Acuity in Macular Degeneration (H35.30: & OCT) | Intact retinal nerve fiber & macula (H35.30) | Clinical Reference Target Range |
| Diagnostic / Lab Marker: HbA1c & Systemic in Macular Degeneration (H35.30: Blood Pressure) | Microvascular retinal protection (H35.30) | Clinical Reference Target Range |
FDA-Monographed Medications & Public Cash Price Reference for Macular Degeneration
Treatment selection for Macular Degeneration depends on clinical severity, diagnostic lab results, and medical history. Search any prescribed medication in the DotMD A–Z Medication Index to view FDA DailyMed dosing and CMS NADAC wholesale acquisition pricing.
Peer-Reviewed Human Clinical Trials & Meta-Analyses (Macular Degeneration)
| Study & Plain-English Finding | Sample (N) | Rigor | Primary Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Insights on Dietary Nutrient Intake and Progression to Late Age-Related Macular Degeneration: What a 4,504-Participant Study Found Higher dietary intake of multiple nutrients, including minerals, vitamins, and carotenoids, is associated with decreased risk of progression to late AMD. Ophthalmology • 2021-03-15 • Phase III Randomized Trial | N = 4,504 | 90/100 | PMID 32858063 ↗ |
| New Insights on EFFECT OF RETINAL THICKNESS VARIABILITY ON VISUAL OUTCOMES AND FLUID PERSISTENCE: What a 1,752-Participant Study Found More stable CST was associated with better visual outcomes at the end of treatment suggesting that CST variability may provide a more reliable prognostic marker of visual outcomes than the presence of fluid alone, with the... Retina (Philadelphia, Pa.) • 2022-03-01 • Phase III Randomized Trial | N = 1,752 | 90/100 | PMID 34923515 ↗ |
| New Insights on Association between screening duration and treatment outcomes in the clinical: What a 1,152-Participant Study Found Linear regression coefficients for screening duration were not statistically significant for BCVA or CST at week 8 (BCVA: B = - 0.058, P = 0.242; CST: B = - 0.050, P = 0.908) or at week 48 (BCVA: B = - 0.015, P = 0.843; CST: B... Scientific reports • 2026-04-02 • Phase III Randomized Trial | N = 1,152 | 90/100 | PMID 41927600 ↗ |
| New Insights on Subretinal Fluid Resolution and Visual Acuity in Patients with Neovascular: What a 1,097-Participant Study Found A greater proportion of ranibizumab-treated eyes with nAMD gained/maintained visual acuity at SRF resolution. Ophthalmology. Retina • 2022-11-15 • Phase III Randomized Trial | N = 1,097 | 90/100 | PMID 35654363 ↗ |
| Can This Approach Help? Inside the Latest Research on Resolution of outer retinal abnormalities in eyes with vitreomacular traction ELM disruption, EZ disruption and/or SRF are present in a significant percentage of eyes with VMT without MH. The British journal of ophthalmology • 2023-07-15 • Phase III Randomized Trial | Multi-cohort | 88/100 | PMID 35288439 ↗ |
Macular Degeneration Patient Community & “People Like Me” Threads
Filter Macular Degeneration community threads and patient logs by age, biological sex, dosage, and treatment duration.