A common cause of vision loss for patients over 50 is a condition called age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This is an eye condition that affects central vision due to damage to the macula.
For those with AMD, central vision can be completely lost, causing difficulties with driving, reading small print, or seeing faces clearly. AMD does not affect your peripheral or side vision, so it will not result in complete vision loss.
For some, it can be possible to regain their lost central vision.
Types of Macular Degeneration
Dry Macular Degeneration
When you are in the early stages of dry macular degeneration, you will have deposits of drusen under your retina, which are visible to your ophthalmologist. You will not experience any symptoms at this point. We recommend a diet filled with vegetables, fatty fish, and fruits or that you take an antioxidant vitamin to help prevent vision loss.
As time goes on, the drusen present in your eye can reduce. Statin treatment can also be used to reduce the drusen present in your retina.
Wet Macular Degeneration
Wet macular degeneration causes leaky blood vessels that grow into your retina. For some patients, lost vision can be restored using an injection of VEGF, also known as anti-vascular endothelial growth factor antibodies, into their eyes. With this medication, we can help reduce the leakage from the new blood vessels, drying up the retina and improving your vision.
What are the Risk Factors for Macular Degeneration?
In some cases, there are factors that can increase your risk of developing macular degeneration. Some of these risk factors include:
Being over the age of 50
Being a smoker
High blood pressure
Hypertension
Regularly consuming a diet that is high in saturated fats
How is Macular Degeneration Treated?
At Dittman Eyecare, we are versed in several methods for treating macular degeneration, including:
Cataract removal
Glasses or other low vision magnifying devices
Implantable telescopes
In some cases, increasing the amount of light can help improve your vision which is why removing cataracts can help improve the vision without affecting the retina.
The best way to treat macular degeneration is to have regualr visits with your eye doctor at Dittman Eyecare. We can help catch eye conditions early and take measures to help preserve your vision.
When you are in the early stages of dry macular degeneration, you will have deposits of drusen under your retina, which are visible to your ophthalmologist. You will not experience any symptoms at this point. We recommend a diet filled with vegetables, fatty fish, and fruits or that you take an antioxidant vitamin to help prevent vision loss.
