As we age, our bodies start to show signs of aging. This includes your eyes as well. Macular degeneration can significantly affect your vision and, when left untreated, can lead to complete vision loss. Luckily, there are a number of treatment options available to ensure you can manage the condition and even stop future problems before they occur.
What is Macular Degeneration?
Macular degeneration is an eye-related disease that affects the center of the retina, known as the macula. Those who suffer from this condition may end up with blurriness or reduced vision. The condition occurs when the macula starts to wear down, which typically happens as people grow older.
Types of Macular Degeneration
There are a few different types of macular degeneration, and the type you have can determine the right treatment for you. The two forms of this condition include wet and dry.
Dry Macular Degeneration
The most common type of macular degeneration is referred to as dry. With this particular type of eye disease, deposits known as drusen develop on the macula. At first, this may not cause any significant decrease in vision. However, as the drusen grow larger, they can start affecting a person’s central vision by killing off the light-sensitive cells in the macula.
Wet Macular Degeneration
Unlike dry macular degeneration, wet macular degeneration is caused by a leakage of blood vessels in the retina. As these blood vessels leak blood or other fluid into the back of a person’s eye, it can drastically affect their vision. In most cases, patients diagnosed with wet macular degeneration experience significant vision loss and blind spots in their central vision.
What Causes Macular Degeneration?
While genetics have been shown to play a small role in macular degeneration, it’s most commonly the result of aging. Those who are obese, smoke, have high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol, and those who spend a lot of time in the sun are at an increased risk for developing this eye condition.
What are Treatment Options for Macular Degeneration?
It’s important to note that there isn’t currently a cure for macular degeneration. However, various treatment options have been proven effective at slowing down the progression of the disease and can prevent complete vision loss.
Medication
Patients with wet macular degeneration are often prescribed anti-angiogenesis medication, which is used to stop the production of blood vessels and any leakage into the eye. In some cases, this medication has been shown to restore lost vision.
Laser Therapy
To get rid of abnormal blood vessels in the eyes causing macular degeneration, a photodynamic laser can be utilized. After a light-sensitive drug is injected into the patient’s bloodstream, it will be absorbed by these abnormal blood vessels. The photodynamic laser is then utilized to stimulate the drug, which then damages these abnormal blood vessels that cause the condition.
Low Vision Aids
There is a variety of low-vision aids that can help those with vision impairment due to macular degeneration, especially the dry kind. These devices essentially magnify images and make them appear darker for easier contrast.
Schedule A Consultation Today
If you suspect you have macular degeneration and you’re looking for effective treatment, you could not be in better hands than with Dr. Gupta and Dr. Pereira at Advanced Eye Surgeons. Schedule a consultation today by calling our Boca Raton or Tamarac, FL offices or filling out our online contact form.
