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Are you experiencing symptoms of macular degeneration? Schedule an appointment at Retina Consultants of Miami in Miami, FL, today!
Macular degeneration is a progressive eye condition that requires continuous treatment to minimize symptoms and prevent vision loss. At Retina Consultants of Miami in Miami, Florida, our retina specialists have the experience and expertise to diagnose and treat macular degeneration to preserve your vision.
Macular degeneration, also known as age-related macular degeneration or AMD, is an eye condition that affects central vision. There are two types of macular degeneration: wet macular degeneration and dry macular degeneration.
Dry macular degeneration occurs when parts of your retina begin to thin and tiny clumps of protein form on your retina. Wet macular degeneration occurs when new blood vessels begin to grow underneath the retina.
These abnormal blood vessels may leak, which can cause scarring on the retina. Wet macular degeneration is a less common but more advanced form of the condition. Those most at risk for developing macular degeneration are those over fifty, smoke cigarettes, or have a family history of macular degeneration. Early detection and treatment is the best way to avoid permanent vision loss due to macular degeneration.
Your eye doctor at Retina Consultants of Miami can diagnose macular degeneration, or AMD, during a comprehensive eye exam. During this exam, your eye doctor will instill dilating drops into your eyes in order to be able to look at the back of your eye.
Dilation is a necessary part of a comprehensive eye exam, because, without it, they are unable to view the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, called the retina. A healthy functioning retina is vital for clear vision.
There are many eye conditions that can arise in the retina, so it is very important that your eye doctor be able to view this tissue during your annual eye exam and examine for any irregularities. If your eye doctor notices changes in your retina that could be indicative of macular degeneration, they may perform additional testing like taking detailed images of your retina.
It is also vital that you tell your eye doctor if you have noticed any vision changes since your last visit. If you have noticed changes and your eye doctor suspects that these changes may be due to an issue in the retina, your eye doctor may ask you to look at an Amsler grid.
This grid will help you notice any missing or distorted parts of your visual field. If your eye doctor diagnoses you with macular degeneration, they will develop a treatment plan right away to halt the progression of the condition.
Symptoms of macular degeneration, or AMD, often vary from person to person. However, the most common symptoms are:
Are you experiencing symptoms of macular degeneration? Schedule an appointment at Retina Consultants of Miami in Miami, FL, today!
Although macular degeneration is a serious, vision-threatening eye condition, it can be treated. The best way to avoid vision loss is through early detection and treatment, which is one of the many reasons why routine comprehensive eye exams are important.
Currently, there is no way to treat dry macular degeneration. If you are diagnosed with dry macular degeneration, your eye doctor will likely want to monitor your eyes closely for any changes.
To help treat wet macular degeneration, many eye doctors utilize anti-VEGF medications. This medication is delivered to your retina through an injection and helps halt the growth of abnormal blood vessels and slows any leakage.
In order to ensure that the condition stays well controlled, medication will need to be delivered to your eye routinely. If you are diagnosed with macular degeneration, it is important that you visit your eye doctor regularly to ensure the condition is not worsening.
