Yes. Since February 2023, Health Canada has approved a first medical device to treat dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the MacuMira technology. It is a device that uses microcurrent stimulation to slow the progression of the disease, applicable at every stage of dry AMD. Before this approval, no option allowed direct action on the progression of this form of macular degeneration.

Dry AMD affects hundreds of thousands of people in Quebec, often without them noticing for several years. Understanding its symptoms, causes, and the options available today makes it possible to consult at the right time, before central vision loss becomes significant.

What Is Dry AMD?

Dry age-related macular degeneration is a chronic disease that affects the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for detailed vision. Over time, the cells of the macula thin out and small deposits called "drusen" accumulate, causing a gradual loss of central vision.

Dry AMD accounts for 80% to 90% of macular degeneration cases, making it the most common form of the disease. It generally progresses more slowly than wet AMD, but it can still develop into this more severe form if left unmonitored.

Age-related macular degeneration affects about 2.5 million Canadians, making it the leading cause of vision loss in people over 55. In Quebec alone, an estimated 300,000 people are affected.

What Are the Symptoms of Dry AMD?

Symptoms often appear gradually and can easily go unnoticed at first, which is why many people only seek care after already experiencing significant vision loss. The most common signs include:

• Blurred central vision
• Difficulty reading small print, even in good lighting
• An increased need for light for everyday tasks
• Colours that appear less vivid
• Difficulty recognizing faces
• Straight lines that appear wavy or distorted

At an advanced stage, a dark or blurry spot can appear at the centre of the visual field. Optometrists refer to this as geographic atrophy, the most advanced form of dry AMD.

What Are the Causes and Risk Factors?

Dry AMD is a multifactorial disease. Aging remains the main factor, but several elements can accelerate its onset or progression: a family history of AMD, smoking, uncontrolled high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays, and a diet low in antioxidants.

Adopting healthy habits does not cure the disease, but it genuinely helps preserve eye health over the long term.

How Is Dry AMD Diagnosed?

A comprehensive eye exam can detect the early signs of AMD, sometimes well before symptoms become noticeable to the patient. The optometrist may then use a thorough examination of the back of the eye, optical coherence tomography (OCT), or detailed retinal photographs, depending on the situation.

The earlier the disease is detected, the sooner a follow-up plan can be put in place to protect central vision over the long term. This is precisely the difference between a vision test and a comprehensive eye exam: the latter is designed to catch what the former does not necessarily detect.

How Can the Progression of Dry AMD Be Slowed?

There is no cure for dry AMD, but several measures can help slow its progression. Quitting smoking, eating a diet rich in leafy greens and fish, exercising regularly, managing blood pressure and cholesterol, and wearing sunglasses that offer adequate UV protection are among the most well-established recommendations. For some patients, a specific vitamin supplement (AREDS formula) may also be recommended by the optometrist.

MacuMira: The Treatment Approved by Health Canada

MacuMira is, to date, the only medical device approved by Health Canada to treat dry AMD, at every stage of the disease. Unlike the injections used for wet AMD, this treatment relies on microcurrent stimulation applied through closed eyelids, with no injection or surgery involved.

A typical treatment takes place directly in-clinic, under the supervision of an eye care professional. The goal is to slow the progression of the disease; some patients report an improvement in visual comfort, but the extent of the results varies from person to person depending on the stage of AMD and overall eye health.

Other therapeutic avenues, including eye injections targeting the inflammation linked to geographic atrophy, are currently being studied or reviewed by Health Canada, without yet being offered in the country.

Who Can Benefit From MacuMira Treatment?

Eligibility for this treatment depends on several factors: the stage of AMD, the presence or absence of geographic atrophy, and the patient's overall eye health. A comprehensive evaluation by an optometrist remains necessary to determine whether this option suits your situation.

Why Early Diagnosis Makes All the Difference

The earlier dry AMD is detected, the sooner a follow-up plan can be put in place to preserve central vision and everyday independence. If you notice a decline in vision, difficulty reading, or lines that appear distorted, it is best to consult quickly rather than wait for symptoms to worsen.

If you have symptoms or simply want to check on the health of your macula, book an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam at one of our clinics.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dry AMD and MacuMira