Macular Degeneration

About 15 million Americans are living with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) today. At Optic Gallery Horizon Ridge, Anne Valdez, OD, and the team offer comprehensive eye exams and macular degeneration screening in the Henderson, Nevada, office. Early diagnosis can help prevent vision loss, so don’t wait to schedule your annual eye exams. Call the office or book an appointment online today to receive help for macular degeneration.

What is macular degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is an eye disease that affects the macula, a part of the retina in the back of your eye. The macula controls your central vision and helps you see details, like the hands on a clock face. 

There are two types of macular degeneration:

Dry macular degeneration

Dry macular degeneration accounts for about 9 in 10 cases of macular degeneration. With dry macular degeneration, clumps of drusen (fatty waste deposits) build up in the macula. The macula gradually thins as well.

Dry macular degeneration causes a slow loss of central vision. 

Wet macular degeneration

Wet macular degeneration is the more aggressive type. It occurs when you develop new abnormal blood vessels in the back of your eye. They leak blood into the macula, which then causes scarring. 

Wet macular degeneration causes much faster central vision loss than dry macular degeneration.

Dry macular degeneration can turn into wet macular degeneration. Wet macular degeneration is always considered advanced or late-stage.

How is macular degeneration diagnosed?

Optic Gallery Horizon Ridge recommends annual eye exams for all patients. Macular degeneration screening is an important part of eye exams for adults, especially those over 60 (the most common age group for the disease). 

Generally, macular degeneration screening includes a magnified exam of the back of your eye, a retinal scan, or other advanced diagnostic technology. You may also view a special grid (the Amsler grid) that helps to identify visual problems common with macular degeneration.

Is macular degeneration treatable?

At this time, there aren’t specific treatments for dry macular degeneration. However, a blend of daily supplements could slow progression in some cases. Those include:

• 500-mg vitamin C
• 268-mg vitamin E
• 10-mg lutein
• 2-mg zeaxanthin
• 80-mg zinc
• 2-mg copper

Scheduling your eye exams yearly is also important if you have dry macular degeneration. The exams can determine if the disease is worsening or if your condition has advanced to wet macular degeneration, which requires treatment.

Wet macular degeneration treatment often responds to anti-VEGF injections, which slow blood vessel leakage and seal off unhealthy blood vessels. Laser therapy is another option, and it achieves the same goals using light energy. 

Optic Gallery Horizon Ridge offers compassionate eye care, with a strong focus on prevention and early diagnosis of diseases like age-related macular degeneration. 

If you need guidance from an experienced optometry team for macular degeneration, call Optic Gallery Horizon Ridge or click on the online booking tool today.