What Is Macular Degeneration?
Macular degeneration, also known as age-related macular degeneration, is a serious eye disease that can affect light-sensitive cells in the retina and cause a blur to central vision. The center of the retina, called the macula, can loose healthy layers and cells. This will lead to loss of contrast and eventually diminished vision.
Depending on the individual, macular degeneration may develop slowly over time or relatively quickly. If you have the disease in its early stages, you may not notice any vision changes. Therefore, it’s vital to receive regular eye exams and allow our doctor to diagnose macular degeneration.
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What To Know About Macular Degeneration
The term “macular degeneration” encompasses a narrow range of conditions.
There are two types of the eye disease, the more common of which is dry macular degeneration. This type typically develops slowly and in three stages: early, intermediate, and late. Wet macular degeneration, on the other hand, can cause more rapid vision loss. Dry macular degeneration can turn into the wet type if left untreated for too long.
In the early stages, there are no symptoms. While some patients experience mild blurring during the intermediate stages, many see no change in their vision. During the late stages of macular degeneration, whether dry or wet, patients may have trouble seeing in poor lighting or experience a blurry area that continually grows into a significant loss of central vision. The classic symptom of wet macular degeneration is when a striaght line appears to have a curve. This is called metamorphopsia.
Adults over the age of 50 are at a higher risk of developing macular degeneration. Additional factors, such as being Caucasian, smoking, and having a family history of the disease, can also increase the likelihood of macular degeneration.
Several health choices can help lower your risk of macular degeneration. These include avoiding smoking, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet that includes leafy greens and fish.
Macular degeneration now has a number of treatments which can greatly stall the progression of wet macular degeneration. These new class of biologic medications are custom designed antibodies which can be injected into the eye. These medications include: Vabysmo, Lucentis, Avastin, Eylea.
Reliable Eye Exams & Ophthalmologic Care
Our Eye MDs (ophthalmologist) focus on long-term eye health and work to improve or maintain your vision. Many problems do not appear until the later stages of life and require thorough care to resolve or manage them. We conduct comprehensive eye exams to monitor and detect the early signs of eye diseases.
Eye MDs of Inland addresses adult optometric and ophthalmologic concerns, including the following:
Living With Vision Loss From Macular Degeneration
If you’ve suffered vision loss due to macular degeneration, you may be looking for ways to live with your condition. Methods like vision rehab services and low-vision devices can help make everyday life a little easier.
Talk to a Specialist at Eye MDs To Learn More
Talk to a specialist at Eye MDs today to learn more about macular degeneration or schedule an eye examination and monitor the disease.