Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is the most common cause of legal blindness in the United States. The most common symptoms for this ailment include blurred vision or vision loss. There are two kinds of AMD; dry macular degeneration and wet macular degeneration.
What is the Main Cause of Macular Degeneration?
AMD can develop over time as the eyes age. Dry macular degeneration is caused by the center of the retina deteriorating. With wet macular degeneration, leaky blood vessels grow under the retina. Research indicates that AMD may be caused by a combination of heredity and environmental factors, including smoking and poor diet.
How Long Does it Take to Lose Vision with Macular Degeneration?
In late stages of AMD, you may have difficulty seeing clearly. On average, it takes about 10 years to move from diagnosis to legal blindness, but there are some forms of macular degeneration that can cause sight loss in just days. So, please contact us right away if you begin to experience symptoms.
Can Anything Be Done for Macular Degeneration?
If your condition is diagnosed early, you can take steps to help slow its progression. Steps may include taking vitamin supplements, eating healthfully, and not smoking, because cigarette smoking has been known to worsen macular degeneration. Also, you may slow down the process of the disease by preventing excess ultraviolet exposure. So, we may recommend wearing glasses with ultraviolet protection. Or, we may advise surgery in late stages of AMD. Cataract surgery can be successful in patients if macular degeneration is diagnosed prior to the surgery.
What is the Best Treatment for Macular Degeneration?
Treatment for macular degeneration may include intravitreal injections or laser treatment for wet macular degeneration. Otherwise, multivitamin/multimineral tablets are used to prevent disease progression. Antioxidants, fish oils, and other supplements have been shown, in some studies, to slow the progression. Please schedule an appointment to help determine the best treatment for you.