Do I Have Macular Degeneration?

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss in older populations in the United States. It affects about 10 million Americans, more than glaucoma and cataracts combined. The number is estimated to double by 2050.

What Is Macular Degeneration?

Macular degeneration, short for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is a permanent eye disease that occurs when your macula is damaged. The macula is a part of your retina found behind your eye. It plays a huge role in the functioning of your entire central field of view, including most of your color vision, and the fine details that you see.

Types of Macular Degeneration

There are two forms of AMD: dry and wet age-related macular degeneration.

· Dry AMD. This type is the more prevalent form of AMD. More than 80 percent of patients who have AMD suffer from dry AMD. It is when layers of your macula become thinner, functioning less and less as you age. Little piles of drusen under your retina can appear. Drusen are tiny waste products of the cells of your eye, which can cause retinal deterioration. As a result, you lose your central vision slowly. Dry AMD is still incurable at present. But, it is possible to reduce the risk of disease progression by 25 percent by carefully monitoring the condition and taking vitamin supplements. These additions include lutein, zinc, beta-carotene, and omega-3s.

· Wet AMD. Wet macular degeneration is less frequent but more severe compared to its counterpart. Only 10 percent of all cases of AMD become wet. It is typical for a patient to have dry AMD first, then the condition progresses toward its wet form. Wet AMD happens when new blood vessels get bigger under your retina. These abnormal blood vessels are weak. It leaks fluids, such as lipids and blood. This leaking results in the formation of scar tissue and the cells of your retina to stop working correctly. You are likely to lose vision more quickly with this type of AMD than the dry one. Nevertheless, you can treat wet AMD with medications, injections, or surgery.

Common Symptoms and Warning Signs

Macular degeneration is not associated with pain or redness of the eyes. Symptoms commonly include:
 

· Inability to see in dim light.

· Trouble reading small print.

· Difficulty judging distances.

· Problems with recognizing faces.

· Blurred or decreased central vision.

· Blind spots or partial loss of vision.

· Distorted image, such as when straight lines seem to appear bent or wavy.

· Objects suddenly appear smaller upon viewing with one eye than with the other.

Conclusion

Your eye specialist will have to review your family and medical history to make a diagnosis. Also, they will conduct a complete eye exam to determine the disease. These include checking the back of your eye and testing defects in your central vision. The signs may consist of yellowish deposits, irregular pigmentation, and blood or fluid in or under your retina.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of macular degeneration, contact Primary Vision Care now. You may also visit any of our offices in Newark, Lancaster, Mount Vernon, or Wilmington, Ohio.