{"id":2702,"date":"2021-07-17T10:06:26","date_gmt":"2021-07-17T07:06:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eye-center.gr\/ilikiaki-ekfylisi-ochras-kilidas\/"},"modified":"2025-11-17T11:10:46","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T08:10:46","slug":"age-related-macular-degeneration","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/eye-center.gr\/en\/age-related-macular-degeneration\/","title":{"rendered":"Age-related Macular Degeneration"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"2702\" class=\"elementor elementor-2702 elementor-832\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a3f8490 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a3f8490\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ff0528c\" data-id=\"ff0528c\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ddafd50 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ddafd50\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Age-related Macular Degeneration<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c274e85 elementor-reverse-tablet elementor-reverse-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c274e85\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9d2b2ed\" data-id=\"9d2b2ed\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dd7da36 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"dd7da36\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"https:\/\/eye-center.gr\/en\/service\/macular-and-retinal-disorders\/\">Macular and Retinal Disorders Department<\/a><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8ce7a15 elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"8ce7a15\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/eye-center.gr\/en\/retinal-vein-occlusion\/\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 256 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M224.3 273l-136 136c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-22.6-22.6c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l96.4-96.4-96.4-96.4c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9L54.3 103c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l136 136c9.5 9.4 9.5 24.6.1 34z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Retinal Vein Occlusion<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/eye-center.gr\/en\/diabetic-retinopathy\/\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 256 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M224.3 273l-136 136c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-22.6-22.6c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l96.4-96.4-96.4-96.4c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9L54.3 103c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l136 136c9.5 9.4 9.5 24.6.1 34z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Diabetic Retinopathy<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/eye-center.gr\/en\/age-related-macular-degeneration\/\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 256 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M224.3 273l-136 136c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-22.6-22.6c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l96.4-96.4-96.4-96.4c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9L54.3 103c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l136 136c9.5 9.4 9.5 24.6.1 34z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\"><span class=\"active\">Age-related Macular Degeneration<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/eye-center.gr\/en\/floaters-and-flashes\/\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 256 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M224.3 273l-136 136c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-22.6-22.6c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l96.4-96.4-96.4-96.4c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9L54.3 103c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l136 136c9.5 9.4 9.5 24.6.1 34z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Floaters and Flashes<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f7ba154\" data-id=\"f7ba154\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e301708 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e301708\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Age-related Macular Degeneration<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-433698a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"433698a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/eye-center.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/oxra1.avif\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-2605\" alt=\"\" title=\"\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cf9df6d elementor-tabs-view-horizontal elementor-widget elementor-widget-tabs\" data-id=\"cf9df6d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"tabs.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-tabs\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-tabs-wrapper\" role=\"tablist\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2171\" class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-desktop-title\" aria-selected=\"true\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2171\" aria-expanded=\"false\">What it is<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2172\" class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-desktop-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2172\" aria-expanded=\"false\">What the symptoms are<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2173\" class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-desktop-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2173\" aria-expanded=\"false\">Causes<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2174\" class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-desktop-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2174\" aria-expanded=\"false\">Forms<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2175\" class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-desktop-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2175\" aria-expanded=\"false\">Diagnosis<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-tabs-content-wrapper\" role=\"tablist\" aria-orientation=\"vertical\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-mobile-title\" aria-selected=\"true\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2171\" aria-expanded=\"false\">What it is<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2171\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2171\" tabindex=\"0\" hidden=\"false\"><p>The macula is the central part of the retina, located at the posterior pole of the eye. It is responsible for central vision and for the ability to perceive the fine details that make up everything we see.<\/p><p>Macular degeneration is a condition that essentially causes alterations to this part of the retina \u2014 the macula \u2014 resulting in blurring of the patient\u2019s central vision as well as difficulty in perceiving visual stimuli.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-mobile-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2172\" aria-expanded=\"false\">What the symptoms are<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2172\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2172\" tabindex=\"0\" hidden=\"hidden\"><p>Symptoms often vary among patients. In the early stages of macular degeneration, there may be no symptoms at all. However, during a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination, the condition can be detected even in patients who have shown no prior indications.<\/p><p class=\"western\" lang=\"en-US\">The main symptoms are:<\/p><ul><li><p class=\"western\" lang=\"en-US\">Blurred vision<\/p><\/li><li><p class=\"western\" lang=\"en-US\">Central scotoma (loss of central vision)<\/p><\/li><li><p class=\"western\" lang=\"en-US\">Difficulty reading and driving<\/p><\/li><li><p class=\"western\" lang=\"en-US\">Difficulty recognizing faces<\/p><\/li><li><p class=\"western\" lang=\"en-US\">Decreased visual acuity<\/p><\/li><li><p class=\"western\" lang=\"en-US\">Distorted vision (metamorphopsia)<\/p><\/li><li><p class=\"western\" lang=\"en-US\">Need for brighter lighting<\/p><\/li><li><p lang=\"en-US\">Finally, in advanced stages of macular degeneration, vision loss may occur.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-mobile-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2173\" aria-expanded=\"false\">Causes<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2173\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2173\" tabindex=\"0\" hidden=\"hidden\"><p class=\"western\" lang=\"en-US\">Age-related macular degeneration primarily affects individuals over 60 years old. However, a significant factor in the development of the disease is genetic predisposition, which can also lead to symptoms appearing at a younger age. In addition to age and family history, a modern unhealthy lifestyle (Western-type diets) plays an important role in the onset of the condition. Specifically, smoking, diet, and prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight appear to affect the macula and constitute risk factors for this disease.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-mobile-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2174\" aria-expanded=\"false\">Forms<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2174\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2174\" tabindex=\"0\" hidden=\"hidden\"><p class=\"western\" lang=\"en-US\">The two main forms of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are:<\/p><ul><li><p lang=\"en-US\">Dry type (non-exudative or atrophic form):<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p class=\"western\" lang=\"en-US\">This is the most common and generally the least dangerous form of AMD, as its progression is slow, resulting in a gradual loss of vision. It is primarily caused by thinning, atrophy, and aging of the macula. Dry-type macular degeneration is characterized by yellowish and white deposits of lipids and proteins (drusen) that accumulate between the retina and the choroid. There is no targeted treatment for this form of AMD, apart from certain specialized dietary supplements. In advanced stages, the patient may experience significant reduction in visual acuity and may require visual aids, such as magnifying lenses, to assist with daily activities.<\/p><ul><li><p lang=\"en-US\">Wet type (exudative form):<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p class=\"western\" lang=\"en-US\">This form of age-related macular degeneration affects approximately 10\u201315% of patients. In wet AMD, pathological new blood vessels develop beneath the retina due to a factor called VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor). These vessels are responsible for causing edema and hemorrhages, which lead to vision loss. Wet AMD can be treated or managed with intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF agents that block VEGF and limit the formation of new vessels and edema. This approach stabilizes visual acuity in patients and, in many cases, can even improve it.<\/p><p class=\"western\" lang=\"en-US\">Dry-type AMD can occasionally progress to the wet type.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-mobile-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2175\" aria-expanded=\"false\">Diagnosis<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2175\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2175\" tabindex=\"0\" hidden=\"hidden\"><p class=\"western\" lang=\"en-US\">For the diagnosis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the following examinations are essential:<\/p><ul><li><p class=\"western\" lang=\"en-US\">Fundoscopy with pupil dilation: Examining the fundus of the eye can reveal the presence of lesions and drusen (deposits), which are characteristic features of AMD.<\/p><\/li><li><p class=\"western\" lang=\"en-US\">Measurement of visual acuity.<\/p><\/li><li><p class=\"western\" lang=\"en-US\">Amsler test: This test is printed on a card featuring a grid of horizontal and vertical lines with a central dot. Patients with dry or wet AMD may perceive gaps or wavy lines when viewing the grid.<\/p><\/li><li><p class=\"western\" lang=\"en-US\">Optical coherence tomography (OCT): This imaging technique highlights retinal lesions in the macular region.<\/p><\/li><li><p class=\"western\" lang=\"en-US\">Digital angiography (Angio-OCT) or angiography with intravenous indocyanine or fluorescein: These procedures provide detailed information about the veins and arteries inside the eye.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3542a57 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3542a57\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/eye-center.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/oxra2.avif\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-2606\" alt=\"\" title=\"\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Macular and Retinal Disorders Department Retinal Vein Occlusion Diabetic Retinopathy Age-related Macular Degeneration Floaters and Flashes What it is What the symptoms are Causes Forms Diagnosis What it is The macula is the central part of the retina, located at the posterior pole of the eye. It is responsible for central vision and for the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"_mbp_gutenberg_autopost":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2702","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eye-center.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2702","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eye-center.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eye-center.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eye-center.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eye-center.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2702"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/eye-center.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2702\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3177,"href":"https:\/\/eye-center.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2702\/revisions\/3177"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eye-center.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2702"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}