How to Recognize Macular Degeneration

Whether you are nearing the age of 50 or are older, macular degeneration is a condition you should be aware of. This condition is the leading cause of vision loss in adults aged 50 and older.

To understand what macular degeneration is, you first need to understand what the macula is and the role it plays in helping your see. The macula is part of your retina at the back of your eye. It is 5mm across and is responsible for your central vision, fine details, and most of your color vision.

Macular Degeneration, also known as Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), occurs when there are changes to the macula, resulting in the development of key symptoms including:

Difficulty reading on a tablet or phone
Issues seeing people’s faces
Shadowy areas occurring in your central vision
Fuzzy or distorted vision

There are two forms of macular degeneration, wet and dry. Dry is the more common of the two, and there is no cure, meaning the lost vision is not able to be restored. It is believed by doctors and researchers that nutrition and the progression of macular degeneration are connected, so you can take supplements and make dietary changes that can help slow your vision loss.

Wet macular degeneration occurs when new blood vessels grow beneath your retina, leaking blood and fluid. This leakage leads to permanent damage to the light-sensitive retinal cells. These cells die off, creating blind spots in your central vision. This type of macular degeneration is not as common as the dry type and is treatable if it is diagnosed early on.

Preventing Macular Degeneration

The Mayo Clinic suggests that an antioxidant-rich diet full of foods such as spinach, kale, squash, and broccoli, as well as regular exercise is a great way to reduce your chances of developing macular degeneration.

The best way to detect and manage macular degeneration is with routine eye examinations where the doctors at Dittman Eyecare can detect any early progressive changes.

The earlier we detect your AMD, the better the prognosis. Once vision is lost to macular degeneration, it can not be restored, so we focus on the protection and preservation of your visual acuity.

Schedule Your Eye Exam Today!

Don’t wait; if you haven’t had an eye exam within the last year or two, it’s time to schedule a check-up to ensure your eyes are healthy. Contact us today to schedule an eye exam!