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Macular degeneration is the leading cause of diminishing eyesight in men and women over 50, but there are ways you can preserve your sight with appropriate treatment. The highly qualified specialists at Ophthalmology Physicians & Surgeons, PC have considerable experience in treating patients with macular degeneration and have a range of effective treatment options available. If you live in the greater Philadelphia area, including Trappe, Blue Bell, North Wales, Hatboro, Bethlehem, and Levittown, Pennsylvania, or the counties of Montgomery, Bucks, or Northampton, schedule an appointment online or by phone today.
Macular degeneration is a condition affecting the center of your retina, which is called the macula. Macular degeneration is the most common cause of vision problems in people over 50. There are two types of macular degeneration, dry and wet:
Dry macular degeneration develops when the retina deteriorates due to a collection of deposits called drusen. When the drusen build up, it affects your ability to focus in the center of your vision. Dry macular degeneration accounts for about 90% of cases.
Wet macular degeneration develops when there’s an irregular growth of blood vessels inside the retina. These abnormal vessels start to leak, which causes scar tissue to form. The scar tissue then affects the function of the cells in the macula.
Your eye doctor at Ophthalmology Physicians & Surgeons, PC can diagnose macular degeneration by carrying out an eye exam. Early detection of macular degeneration ensures you receive prompt treatment, which could make a significant difference in retaining your sight for longer and improving the quality of your vision.
Attending regular eye exams is the best way to ensure prompt treatment for macular degeneration, but if you notice any changes in your vision between your routine appointments, schedule a checkup with your eye doctor.
The earlier you get a diagnosis of macular degeneration, the better the outcome, and at Ophthalmology Physicians & Surgeons, PC there is a retina specialist on staff who has considerable expertise in early diagnosis.
There are two treatment options for wet macular degeneration, providing the abnormal blood vessels haven’t reached the macula. Your eye doctor can use laser treatment to destroy the blood vessels or inject anti-VEGF-A (vascular endothelial growth factor A) into the eye that prevents the abnormal blood vessels from affecting the macula.
Studies by the NIH's National Eye Institute Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) found that taking a particular combination of micronutrients in a supplement is effective in treating patients with early signs of macular degeneration. AREDS formulations contain precise quantities of:
In some cases, patients can avoid developing advanced macular degeneration with this treatment, preserving the clarity of their vision for far longer.
If you haven’t been for an eye test recently, or you’ve been experiencing any loss of vision, call Ophthalmology Physicians & Surgeons, PC or schedule an appointment online today.
