Macular Degeneration Specialist

What is macular degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a serious eye disease in which a specific part of your retina, the macula, breaks down. The macula allows for sharp, straight-ahead (central) vision, so you need a healthy macula to read, drive, and discern small details. 

A damaged macula can lead to difficulty with all of these things, along with blurry vision or blind spots. If you don't treat AMD, it usually worsens and could cause permanent vision loss.

The two kinds of AMD are:

Dry

Dry AMD affects 8 in 10 AMD sufferers. It happens as your macula thins over time and causes gradual central vision loss.

Wet

Wet AMD occurs when unhealthy new blood vessels develop underneath your retina. These blood vessels rupture, which causes scar tissue on your macula. Wet AMD causes rapid vision loss compared with dry AMD. 

Because AMD doesn't generally cause symptoms until it's advanced, it's vital that you have annual comprehensive eye exams at Negrey Eye Associates.

Who is at risk for macular degeneration?

The biggest risk factor for AMD is age. It mainly affects adults over 50. Other risk factors include: 

• Obesity
• Cigarette smoking
• A diet high in saturated fat
• Hypertension
• Family history of AMD
• Heart disease
• High cholesterol

AMD risk assessment is part of your eye exams at Negrey Eye Associates.

How is macular degeneration treated?

There are no current treatments for dry AMD, but a specific nutritional supplement regimen may help to slow disease progression. 

Anti-VEGF injections may help with wet AMD. These injections can destroy unhealthy blood vessels and minimize leakage. Laser surgery is another wet AMD treatment option. In this approach, laser light targets and shrinks abnormal blood vessels and slows their leaking.

Learn about your AMD treatment options by calling Negrey Eye Associates, or use the online system to make an appointment.