TCM diagnosis Based on Syndrome Differentiation:
There are several types of macular degeneration. The two common types described are the dry and wet types. Ninety percent of people with ARMD have the dry type which consists of small yellow spots which appear under the macula these spots are called "drusen" (small wart like growth). The drusen slowly damage the macular cells and vision loss results. Only ten percent seen with the dry type deteriorate and progress into the wet type. In the wet type new blood vessels grow abnormally to nourish the area. These are commonly frail and are prone to leak out causing hemorrhaging and are very damaging to the macula, causing a detachment of the retina with loss of vision. This is where laser surgery is used to patch up the vessels, but it can only be patched so much.

Chinese medicine works to repair the integrity of the whole structure and it has been highly effective at doing so. In Chinese medicine, many patterns are seen with ARMD. These patterns once diagnosed and treated with acupuncture, herbal medicine and nutrition offer far more hope than the conventional medicine route.

Diagnosis for Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration can be detected in a routine eye exam. One of the most common early signs of macular degeneration is the presence of drusen -- tiny yellow deposits under the retina. Your doctor can see these when examining your eyes. Your doctor may also ask you to look at an Amsler grid -- a pattern of straight lines that resemble a checkerboard. Some of the straight lines may appear wavy to you, or you may notice that some of the lines are missing. These can be signs of macular degeneration.

If your doctor detects age-related macular degeneration, you may have a special photograph called an OCT or a procedure called fluorescein angiography or both. The OCT shows a magnified 3D image of your retina. With the angiography procedure, a dye is injected into a vein in the arm. Photographs are taken as the dye reaches the eye and flows through the blood vessels of the retina. If there are new vessels or vessels leaking fluid or blood in the macula, the photographs will show their exact location and type.

Tests for Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Initial tests for age-related macular degeneration include measurement of your visual acuity and a dilated exam of the retina. While studying the retina, the ophthalmologist looks for specific signs of macular degeneration. If signs of age-related macular degeneration are found, the ophthalmologist will often take detailed pictures of the retina for future comparison. Tests may also include:

Optical coherence tomography (OCT):
This is a noninvasive exam that produces a cross-sectional image of the retina. This method is helpful in identifying how much the retinal layers are distorted and whether swelling is increasing or decreasing following treatment with injections or laser.

Angiography:
As mentioned above, In this procedure, a dye is injected into a vein in the arm. The test identifies vessels which cannot be seen with the naked eye and which may need to be treated with the laser or photocoagulation.