Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is a chronic eye disease resulting in visual disturbances or loss of vision (if other visual disturbances combine) and is usually age related. The loss of vision occurs due to the damage to the retina of eyes, specifically macula, which is the center of visual field.

Signs and Symptoms of Macular Degeneration

The signs and symptoms of macular degeneration, specifically age related, include:

  • Blurring of central vision even when using usual vision eye glasses in situations like:
    • When reading, you need more brightness to read clearly
    • Books and newspaper appear blurred even with glasses
    • Colors are less bright than before
    • Difficultly in recognizing faces

 

  • Visual distortion, for example lines or waves appear in visual field
  • Blind spot developing in the middle of your visual field, getting larger over time
  • Visual hallucination, but not due to mental impairment

 

It’s important to note that the age related macular degeneration is painless. The dry AMD progresses slowly and takes 5 to 10 years to get severe. However, wet AMD develops quickly. Also, disturbances in one eye can be missed initially as the other eye efficiently compensates for the loss. Therefore be vigilant of any symptoms of macular degeneration in either of the eye especially if you’re among the high risk patients.

Never delay any disturbances in your visual field and seek expert your eye care specialist’s advice as soon as possible.

Treatment of Macular Degeneration

Unfortunately there is no specific treatment of macular degeneration once it’s fully developed. However there are ways to minimize its progress and maximize the functionality of remaining retina and sight to have best vision possible.

Certain new treatments however claim to reverse the affect of specific type of macular degeneration, not all.

Early detection

So the first and most important step in managing macular degeneration, specially age related macular degeneration, is early detection and prompt reporting to your eye care specialists.

Slowing disease progress

Take measures as described by your doctor to slow down the progress of macular degeneration. They include:

  • Quit smoking
  • Protect eyes using sun glasses
  • Diet rich in antioxidants

 

Reversal treatments

Treatment with medicines like anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF), photodynamic therapy and laser photocoagulation are considered to prevent progress or sometimes reverse the affect of wet macular degeneration.

Once you suspect macular degeneration or any other visual disturbance, don’t take risk with your eyes and vision and consult your eye care specialist immediately for best treatment relative to your specific case.

If you or a loved one have vision loss due to Macular Degeneration call today for a free phone consultation.

Low Vision Specialists of Maryland and Virginia servicing Annapolis, Baltimore, Bethesda, Columbia, Rockville, Silver Spring, Towson, House Call Appointments and other locations in Maryland and Virginia.