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What is Macular Degeneration?
Macular degeneration is an eye disease affecting the macula (the center of the light-sensitive retina at the back of the eye), causing loss or blurriness of central vision. The disease usually occurs as you get older, so it’s commonly referred to as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It is the leading cause of vision impairment and loss for those 60 and above.
Older adults are most at risk due to the natural weakening of eye tissues as you age. While AMD primarily affects adults, it can also happen to those with a family history of the condition or to smokers. The disease doesn’t cause total blindness but does blur vision.
What Are the Symptoms of Macular Degeneration?
Macular degeneration often does not have early symptoms, but as the disease progresses, symptoms can include:
Mild blurriness of central vision
Trouble seeing in low light
Distortion of straight lines, which may begin to appear crooked
A blurry spot at the center of vision that may grow bigger over time
Blank spots in vision
Less vivid colors
Who Is At-Risk for Macular Degeneration?
While there isn’t a single primary cause of AMD, there are several risk factors to be aware of. Many of these factors can increase your chances of developing macular degeneration or can increase the severity of symptoms. Additionally, AMD is more common in women. Besides aging, other common risk factors include:
Obesity
Genetics
Family history
Cardiovascular disease
Smoking
High blood pressure
When Should I See a The EyeDoctors Optometrists Doctor for Macular Degeneration?
Because macular degeneration often does not have early symptoms, it’s critical to see your eye doctor once a year for a comprehensive eye exam. However, if you have any of the risk factors listed above or are experiencing symptoms like blurry central vision, schedule an eye exam at The EyeDoctors Optometrists to diagnose your eye condition and discuss your options. We can help restore your vision.
How Does The EyeDoctors Optometrists Diagnose Macular Degeneration?
Early macular degeneration often has few symptoms and is usually detected during a comprehensive dilated eye exam. The EyeDoctors Optometrists doctors use additional testing as needed to determine the type, severity, and appropriate treatment. Tests may include:
Visual Acuity & Refraction
To measure how clearly you see and identify changes in central vision.
Dilated Retinal Exam
To examine the retina and macula for drusen, pigment changes, and other signs of macular degeneration.
Amsler Grid
To check for distortion, waviness, or missing areas in central vision that may be associated with macular degeneration.
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
To capture detailed cross-sectional images of the retina and help evaluate changes in the macula.
Fluorescein Angiography
To identify leaking or abnormal blood vessels, especially when wet macular degeneration is suspected.
Treatment Options for Macular Degeneration
While there isn’t a cure for AMD, there are treatments that can lessen symptoms. The EyeDoctors Optometrists’s retina and low vision specialists can help with rehab exercises to prevent further vision loss.
Anti-VEGF Injections
Anti-VEGF injections are the most common treatment for wet macular degeneration. They work by blocking a protein that causes abnormal blood vessels to grow and leak, helping slow vision loss and protect central vision.
During treatment, your eye doctor will numb and clean your eye, then place the medication into the eye using a very small needle. Because the medicine only works for a limited time, most patients need ongoing injections, often more frequently at first and then based on how the eye responds over time.
Surgical Treatments
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a less common treatment for wet macular degeneration, sometimes used with anti-VEGF injections. It uses a light-sensitive medication to target abnormal blood vessels while limiting damage to healthy tissue.
During treatment, the medication is injected into the bloodstream and activated with a laser to seal leaking vessels and slow vision loss. Some patients may require multiple treatments.
Schedule an Appointment with Our Macular Degeneration Doctors
The team at The EyeDoctors Optometrists specializes in eye diseases and ocular conditions. Routine eye exams allow our doctors to provide you with the best vision possible. If you are diagnosed with macular degeneration, we will work with you to determine the best treatment option for your eyes. To assess your eye health, diagnose, and treat macular degeneration, schedule an eye exam with our experts today.