What Is Macular Degeneration?

The center portion of the retina is the macula. Deterioration of this area in the retina causes macular degeneration. This area is responsible for recording the images we see and sending messages via the optic nerve to the brain. This is the portion of the retina that allows you to read, drive, recognize faces, and provide fine details that you need to see clearly. There are two types of age-related macular degeneration that can affect your vision; wet and dry. Dry macular degeneration accounts for between 85 to 90% of all cases.

Causes

There is no definitive cause of AMD. What is known is that it is a complex disease and both heredity and environmental factors can play a role. Scientists are working to find the cause so a cure can be developed.

Risk Factors

The biggest risk factor for AMD is age. Those over the age of 55 are at the greatest risk. Other risk factors include genetics, having a family history of the disease, being Caucasian, and smoking.

Symptoms

AMD is usually detected during a routine eye exam before there are any noticeable symptoms. The symptoms include blurred vision, fuzzy vision, straight lines may appear wavy, some things may appear smaller than they actually are, and empty spaces in the center of your vision. While these symptoms are not exclusive to AMD, if you have them, it is important to get an eye exam right away.

Treatment

During the early stages of dry AMD, the most common treatment is nutritional therapy. A diet high in antioxidants is recommended, which means fish and dark green veggies. The eye doctor may also recommend a regime of supplements that includes lutein, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin D3, zeaxanthin, zinc, selenium, beta carotene, and Omega 3 fatty acids.

For wet AMD, the primary treatment is laser surgery, which has limited success. Currently, the most effective and commonly used treatment is anti-VEGF therapy, which involves an injection in the eye. The injections must be repeated every four to six weeks to maintain the progress of the treatment.

Contact Our Ophthalmologists in Dayton, OH

If you are looking for an ophthalmologist in Dayton, contact our eye doctors at Kunesh Eye Center to schedule an appointment. We will answer any questions that you may have regarding age-related macular degeneration or any other eye health conditions. Call our team today at (937) 298-1703 or reach us through our website by using our online contact form.