Macular Degeneration In Wellington, FL

Yes, lifestyle changes may help protect your vision and slow the disease. These include:

• Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, particularly dark, leafy greens
• Consuming fish high in omega-3 fatty acids
• Not smoking
• Maintaining normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels
• Exercising regularly

While there is no cure for macular degeneration, there are treatments that can help slow its progression or reduce the severity of the symptoms:

• Medications: Anti-VEGF drugs can help reduce the number of abnormal blood vessels in your retina or slow leaking from blood vessels.
• Laser Therapy: High-energy laser light can sometimes be used to destroy actively growing abnormal blood vessels that occur in macular degeneration.
• Photodynamic Laser Therapy: A two-step treatment that uses a light-sensitive drug to damage the abnormal blood vessels.
• Low Vision Aids: Devices that have special lenses or electronic systems that produce enlarged images of nearby objects help people who have vision loss from macular degeneration live more independently.

Macular degeneration is diagnosed through a comprehensive eye exam that includes:

• Visual Acuity Test: This test measures how well you see at distances.
• Dilated Eye Exam: Drops are placed in your eyes to widen the pupils, which allows for a closer examination of the retina.
• Amsler Grid: This test helps detect vision problems associated with damage to the macula.
• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): This imaging test provides cross-sectional images of the retina and can identify areas of thickening or thinning.

Symptoms of macular degeneration can include:

• A gradual loss of ability to see objects clearly
• A distorted vision where straight lines appear wavy
• A dark, empty area or blind spot in the center of vision
• Difficulty adapting to low light levels
• Decreased intensity or brightness of colors

There are two main types of macular degeneration:

• Dry Macular Degeneration: This type is more common and occurs when the macula thins over time as part of the aging process, gradually blurring central vision.
• Wet Macular Degeneration: Less common but more severe, wet AMD happens when abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina and leak fluids or blood, causing rapid damage and vision loss.

Macular degeneration, often referred to as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is a condition that typically affects older adults and results in vision loss in the center of the field of vision. The macula, which is responsible for central vision, gets damaged, which can significantly impact the ability to see fine details, read, or recognize faces.