Macular Degeneration

About 20 million people 40 and older in the United States have age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of vision loss in older adults. At Rosenberg Eye Center Inc, in Miami, Tavernier, and Key West, Florida, board-certified ophthalmologists and surgeons Stanley Rosenberg, MD, and Peter Gomez, OD, diagnose and treat macular degeneration to reduce the risk of blindness. Schedule an eye exam by calling the office or booking an appointment online today.

What is macular degeneration?

Macular degeneration is an eye disease affecting central vision, or the way you can see things directly in front of you. It’s common among people over age 50. Macular degeneration affects the macula (part of your retina) in the back of the eye. 

Though macular degeneration affects central vision, you might still have good peripheral vision (being able to see things off to the side when looking straight ahead). It can affect one or both of your eyes.

Early diagnosis and treatment of macular degeneration is critical to your eye health and vision. 

What are the different types of macular degeneration?

The two types of macular degeneration are:

Wet macular degeneration

Wet macular degeneration appears when abnormal blood vessels develop under the macula, leaking fluid and blood. The wet form affects about 10% of people with macular degeneration. It’s more severe and can quickly lead to total central vision loss. 

Dry macular degeneration 

The dry form affects about 90% of people with macular degeneration. It appears when tiny yellow proteins form under the macula. They build up and thin the macula, gradually affecting vision. 

Which symptoms can macular degeneration cause?

Macular degeneration can lead to:

• Blurred vision
• Reduced vision
• Poor vision in low light
• Changes in the way you can see colors
• Straight lines appear curvy
• Dark spots or blank spots on your vision

See your eye doctor at the first sign of macular degeneration. 

What are the risk factors for macular degeneration?

Macular degeneration risk factors include:

• Aging
• Family history of macular degeneration 
• Smoking
• Excess body weight
• High blood pressure
• A diet high in saturated fat
• Diabetes
• Infections
• Head injuries
• Poor-quality diet low in essential nutrients

While you can’t necessarily avoid macular degeneration if you’re prone to developing it, adopting healthy habits may reduce your risk.

How is macular degeneration diagnosed?

Diagnosing macular degeneration at Rosenberg Eye Center Inc requires an eye exam and vision testing. 

Your eye doctor completes a series of eye tests and a dilated eye exam to obtain an in-depth view of the inside of your eyes. You might complete imaging procedures that take pictures of your eyes to screen for signs of macular degeneration and other eye diseases.

How is macular degeneration treated?

Your customized macular degeneration treatment plan may consist of:

• Nutritional supplements
• Medications
• Photodynamic therapy 
• Laser therapy 
• Low vision rehabilitation 
• Eyeglasses
• Contact lenses
• Healthy lifestyle changes
• Routine eye exams

While there’s no cure for macular degeneration, early treatment can slow disease progression and minimize symptoms. 

It’s helpful to avoid smoking, maintain a healthy weight, stay active, eat a balanced diet, and maintain normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels. 

Schedule a macular degeneration evaluation at Rosenberg Eye Center Inc by calling the office or booking an eye exam online today.