Manage Macular Degeneration with Our Eye Doctors Help
Macular degeneration is a very serious eye condition. It occurs in people over the age of 50, and causes a reduced field of vision. There is no cure for macular degeneration, but the eye doctors at Area Eye Care Optometry in Sacramento can create a treatment plan to slow the progression of it.
An Overview of Macular Degeneration
Also known as age-related macular degeneration and AMD, it is an eye disease that progresses over time and affects the center part of the retina called the macula. The macula is an essential component for seeing things in front of you. If drusen, which are yellow deposits that are made of protein and lupus, form under the retina and grow bigger the cells in the macula can thin out causing them to die, leading to loss of vision. Abnormal blood vessel growth caused by AMD that leak fluid or blood in the retina can also lead to vision loss.
Some people are more prone to this condition. If you have a family history of macular degeneration, are over 50 years old, smoke cigarettes, are overweight, and/or have high blood pressure you are at greater risk.
Macular degeneration often shows no symptoms in the early stages. However, over time, you can begin to experience several symptoms, including:
- Seeing straight lines as bent
- Reduced central vision in one or both eyes
- Needing brighter lights for close-up work
- Trouble adjusting to light when you walk into a dim room
- Seeing printed words blurry
- Seeing colors less bright
- Difficulty recognizing faces
AMD can be caught during your annual eye exam with an eye doctor. There are some advanced tests that can confirm the diagnosis and the stage of macular degeneration.
- Amsler Grid test: This is a graph test that checks for defects in your central vision. If the lines on the chart look faded, distorted, or broken, it is a sign of macular degeneration.
- Fluorescein angiography: This test inspects for abnormal blood vessels or blood vessel changes in the eye.
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT): This state-of-the-art equipment can identify areas of retinal thickening, thinning, and swelling.
- Genetic test: Testing can be done to determine your level of risk of developing AMD and the risk of progressing to significant vision loss.
Since macular degeneration does not have a cure, it is vital that you see an eye doctor regularly to detect any presence of this disease early on. There are a number of thigs one can do to reduce the risk of developing AMD or it worsening, but they need to be tailored to your specific type. There are also different types of specialized devices that can be used to help you better use limited vision after the disease progresses. All of that
Schedule Your Appointment Today
If you are experiencing the symptoms of macular degeneration or are worried that you may develop it, schedule an appointment with Dr. Krister L Holmberg and Dr Shephali Patel at Arena Eye Care Optometry in Sacramento today. We can help you manage macular degeneration if you have it. Call (916) 419-8167.