Macular Degeneration
It is the leading cause of severe permanent vision loss in people over age 60. Macular degeneration is a chronic progressive disease that gradually destroys sharp central vision due to the deterioration of the macula, the small central portion of the retina.
There are two main types of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Dry (atrophic) Form: This is the most common form of AMD. Deposits called drusen form in the macular area, affecting the health of the overlying photoreceptors. As drusen increase in size and number, the overlying light-sensitive cells eventually die. In the atrophic form, you have blind spots in your central vision.
Wet (exudative) Form: This is the least common (10%) form of AMD, but potentially more visually devastating. Abnormal blood vessels grow into the retina from beneath the macula and leak blood and fluid into the retina. Scar tissue is then formed leading to central vision loss.
Symptoms of AMD include blurred, distorted central vision and sometimes a difference in color perception. At Gold Circle Optical, our doctor can determine if AMD is actually present or if these symptoms are from some other cause.
Treatment for the wet form of AMD by a retinal specialist can include:
- Injection of anti-angiogenesis medication that prevents the formation of abnormal leaky vessels in the macular area
- Photodynamic laser therapy; using a medication, visudyne, that is activated by a laser to seal abnormal blood vessels
- Laser photocoagulation
The following are recommendations that patients with AMD can do to try to keep their eyes healthy.
- Quit smoking
- Eat a well-balanced diet and exercise
- Protect the eyes from UV and blue light
- Vitamin supplements that contain carotenoids to protect the macula. We recommend MacuHealth supplements and have them available in our office for your convenience.
MacuHealth focuses on preserving vision health and vision performance by providing the only scientifically designed, tested and proven formulation with all three carotenoids found in the eye, (lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin).