Macular degeneration is a disease affecting central vision, making it difficult to see straight ahead. It results from changes in the macula, which sits at the center of the retina in the back of your eye. People with the disease generally do not lose their central vision entirely, but it can dramatically affect their lives, making early diagnosis and treatment vital for the best prognosis. If you have vision concerns and need an optometrist in the Albuquerque area, contact our team at Albuquerque Vision Care and Advanced Eyewear.
Macular Degeneration Risk Factors
Most people with macular degeneration have age-related macular degeneration (AMD). They are most at risk if they are over 60, Caucasian, or have a family history of the disease. Its earliest onset occurs among women. Since people cannot control their age, gender, heredity, or race, it is important to control other factors influencing macular degeneration, such as smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, and UV light exposure. Proactively reducing these risks is your best opportunity to avoid the disease.
Dry and Wet Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration has two forms: dry and wet. The dry form affects 90% of those with the disease and occurs when proteins deposit under the macula. The wet form has a faster onset and tends to be more severe. It results from abnormal blood vessels developing and leaking under the macula.
Macular Degeneration Treatments
Dry and wet macular degeneration have different treatments. The primary treatment for dry macular degeneration is high doses of prescription antioxidants and minerals. Treatments for wet macular degeneration are more complicated and include:
- Medication: Injecting anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) medications into the retina helps stop blood vessel growth in the macula.
- Photodynamic therapy: A light-sensitive drug gets injected into the retina and is followed by laser therapy, which destroys extra blood vessels under the macula. Some eye doctors use this treatment and anti-VEGF medications in combination.
- Laser photocoagulation: Laser photocoagulation uses a laser to seal leaky blood vessels. It was the first wet AMD treatment but is now less common.
Contact Albuquerque Vision Care and Advanced Eyewear
Regular examinations by an eye doctor help with the early detection and treatment of vision issues. To have an optometrist perform a comprehensive eye exam, contact Albuquerque Vision Care and Advanced Eyewear, serving Albuquerque, NM. Are you looking for an eye doctor near you? Call us today at (505) 332-2020, or use our online form to schedule an appointment.
