Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a problem with your retina. AMD happens when a part of the retina called the macula, an area in the center of the retina needed to clearly see details of objects, is damaged. You lose your central vision to where fine details cannot be seen, but your peripheral (side) vision will still be normal. There are two forms of AMD: dry and wet.
Disease Symptoms:
Many people do not realize they have AMD until their vision is very blurry. It is important to have regular eye visits to your ophthalmologist.
Disease Causes
You are most likely to develop AMD if you: smoke cigarettes, are over 50 years old, have a family history of AMD, are Caucasian (White), have hear disease, and have high cholesterol levels.
Disease Treatments
Dry AMD:
Right now, there is no treatment for dry AMD. However, certain vitamins and minerals might help slow dry AMD for people with lots of drusen or serious vision loss. Your ophthalmologist can tell you if vitamin and minerals are recommended for your dry AMD.
Wet AMD:
There are medications called anti-VEGF drugs to treat wet AMD. Anti-VEGF treatment helps reduce the number of abnormal blood vessels in your retina and slows any leaking. Laser surgery may also be used to treat some types of wet AMD. Your eye surgeon shines a laser light beam on the abnormal blood vessels which reduces their number and slows their leaking.
Call to schedule an appointment today 1-800-575-4314.