Clarifying Your Macular Degeneration Questions

You might be a little hazy on the details of macular degeneration. As a retina surgeon, I see many patients with this condition. Here are some answers to common questions to help clarify any fuzziness surrounding macular degeneration and the treatments we provide.

What is macular degeneration?

People with macular degeneration (also known as age-related macular degeneration or AMD) experience loss of vision that impacts them in several ways. They may have difficulty recognizing faces or challenges seeing in places with lower lighting, like restaurants. They may also see a blur or dark spot in the center of their vision, have letters in a word go missing, or have straight lines appear wavy or crooked.

AMD typically starts slowly. People may not notice changes in day-to-day vision in early stages. Over time, gradual fuzziness in central vision begins to appear. Those in late stages may experience total loss of central vision, but they will still have peripheral vision. The earlier AMD is detected, the better.

What are the types of macular degeneration?

Dry AMD affects approximately 90% of AMD patients. This type is caused when deposits, called drusen, form under the macula. This causes the macula to weaken and thin out. The weakening of the macula leads to gradual vision loss that typically takes years.

Wet AMD affects around 10% of AMD patients. This advanced stage of AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow under the macula, leading to fluid buildup that causes swelling. This can result in sudden vision loss, but early detection and treatment may help protect or even restore vision. In some cases, these abnormal vessels can also bleed, leading to further vision loss. Because Wet AMD can progress quickly, sometimes in just weeks or months, early recognition and treatment are critical.

What treatments are available for macular degeneration?

Early detection provides access to more treatment options. This is why it’s important to get regular eye exams, even if you aren’t experiencing any vision changes.

Lifestyle choices like avoiding smoking and having a diet rich in leafy greens can help improve your eye health. There are vitamin and mineral supplements that can help lower the risk of some types of AMD. In certain stages of AMD medicine can be placed in the eye to defend against disease progression

What are the risk factors for macular degeneration?

Your risk of AMD increases if you have a family history of macular degeneration, are caucasian, or have experienced significant UV light exposure. Other risk factors include use of tobacco products, poor cardiovascular health, and a diet high in saturated fats.

Because macular degeneration often has no symptoms in its early stages, it’s important to schedule regular eye exams. Get your eyes dilated at your appointment so that your doctor can detect any changes in the back of your eye.

Awareness and Treatment

Want to learn more about macular degeneration and the various ways it can be treated? Vance Thompson Vision is dedicated to using the world’s leading-edge technology combined with our vast experience to help treat your macular degeneration and preserve your vision for years to come.

Learn more on our macular degeneration page, then contact us or your primary eye care provider and schedule an appointment.