Early AMD can be treated. Your eye care provider can identify it during a comprehensive dilated eye exam by looking out for signs of disease and using an Amsler grid to examine your eyes.

Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels sprout beneath the retina and leak fluid into it, leading to vision loss and severe distortion with central blind spots as a result. It is more serious than dry AMD.

Nutritional Supplements

Nutritional supplements are products containing vitamins, minerals, herbs or other substances in capsule form to be taken orally as nutritional supplementations to increase intake of essential nutrients in our diets and can offer various health benefits, such as weight loss, energy boost, disease prevention and improved performance in sports, mental activities or illness conditions.

Studies have demonstrated that nutritional supplements may slow the progression of early AMD in some individuals. Unfortunately, however, they cannot reverse any damage done by advanced AMD and therefore cannot serve as a cure for macular degeneration. It is essential to talk to one of Catalina Eye Care’s ophthalmologists or optometrists about whether nutritional supplements might be an appropriate treatment plan for you.

AMD is most often manifested through dry macular degeneration (DMD). This condition occurs when the macula, the part of retina that provides central vision, thins over time. Drusen formation usually precedes this progression; your eye care provider should detect them during a comprehensive dilated eye exam. Dry macular degeneration causes blurriness in your center vision which makes driving, reading or seeing faces challenging.

Wet macular degeneration (WMD), though less frequent than AMD, can still cause rapid and severe vision loss. It occurs when abnormal blood vessels form within the retina that leak fluid or pigment into scar tissue beneath your central vision and destroy your central vision. Treatment options for wet macular degeneration include anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors which slow new vessel formation to prevent advanced AMD. Your eye doctor or optometrist may prescribe these anti-VEGF drugs via injection directly into the eye.

Eye Exercises

Age-related macular degeneration occurs when a tiny portion of the retina called the macula located at the back of your eye becomes damaged and causes central vision to blur or distort, creating difficulty reading, driving and viewing fine details as well as creating blind spots in your field of vision. While AMD is progressive disease that will continue to worsen over time, catching changes early is key in treating your condition and ensuring maximum quality vision in later years.

Dry macular degeneration is the most frequent form of macular degeneration, and happens when your macula thins with age and protein deposits known as drusen form in tiny clusters called “drusen.” Early symptoms often don’t become evident until later; then lines will start appearing wavy or colors become faded and duller than they once were.

Wet macular degeneration (WMD) is caused by new blood vessels growing beneath the retina that leak blood and fluid, damaging macula cells and permanently impairing vision loss. Treatment for wet AMD may help stop further blood vessel growth while slowing its progression.

Simple lifestyle modifications may reduce your risk of AMD, including eating healthily, not smoking, wearing sunglasses outdoors and staying away from electronic devices that emit blue light. Furthermore, eye exercises to strengthen focus and coordination may also be performed; for instance focusing on an object in the distance before shifting focus quickly to something nearby or distant for several seconds before repeating this exercise several times can be effective.

Eyeglasses

Eyeglasses can be an excellent solution for those living with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Wearing glasses helps clear away blurry vision and allows people to continue living independent lives without giving up independence. A proper prescription can make all the difference; speak with an eye care provider about which lenses would best meet your visual needs.

Early stage dry AMD often goes undetected until people notice their central vision becoming distorted or blurry, due to damage to a small spot at the back of their retina known as macula which affects your central vision and makes reading or driving difficult. Don’t lose peripheral vision; but central vision loss will make things like these much harder for you.

Avoid smoking and consume a healthy diet rich in leafy green vegetables and fruit while taking vitamin C supplements can all lower your risk of AMD. Regularly visit an eye care professional for comprehensive dilated eye exams to detect changes to your vision early and detect early AMD signs such as yellow deposits known as drusen deposits under the retina; having family history increases this risk further.

Eye care professionals will evaluate your eyes by looking at an Amsler grid, similar to a checkerboard pattern, which will reveal any distortions which could indicate macular degeneration. They’ll also take your blood pressure and conduct a full health examination including answering any relevant questions regarding family medical histories.

Injections

Medication can help to minimize vision loss associated with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Anti-VEGF agents, administered directly into the eye, block overgrowth of blood vessels that lead to wet AMD. Wet AMD is more serious than dry and involves abnormal blood vessels leaking fluid onto retina cells causing blurry vision, central blind spots or distortions of straight lines; though less common than its dry counterpart. It accounts for around 90% of vision loss associated with AMD.

There are four FDA-approved treatments for wet AMD. Of these therapies, Aflibercept is considered the most effective when administered via intraocular injection and works by binding to chemicals which stimulate abnormal blood vessel growth. Other FDA-approved procedures may also include photodynamic therapy (PDT), laser coagulation, panretinal photocoagulation and vitrectomy; all of which may be recommended when an eye exam reveals wet AMD as an issue.

Diets high in leafy vegetables, nuts and fish can help slow the progression of dry AMD. Smoking should also be discontinued. There is no known cure for wet AMD; however, medications like Aflibercept may stabilize vision loss by stabilizing it over time and preventing further vision loss. Patients living with wet AMD require lifelong injections of this medication at 1-3 monthly intervals – for optimal treatment it’s essential that all medications prescribed or over-the-counter be discussed with your physician as some (like aspirin warfarin or Pradaxa) increase risks associated with wet AMD which should either avoided or switched out for other blood thinners for best results.

Laser Surgery

At first, dry macular degeneration occurs as parts of the retina thin with age. Over time, this results in changes to central vision that eventually cause blind spots at the centre of your field of view – this may affect one or both eyes; it does not result in complete blindness as peripheral (side) vision is still normal. Although dry AMD usually takes years to progress into its final stage, catching changes early is essential as sooner diagnosed, the better.

Wet macular degeneration (WMD) is rarer but more serious. It begins when tiny protein deposits known as drusen form under the retina. Although initially these deposits do not cause vision loss, as they grow larger they can trigger abnormal blood vessels to form and leak fluid under it causing advanced AMD and leading to rapid vision loss.

Laser surgery is an effective solution to treating wet AMD, with your eye care professional directing a powerful light beam at new blood vessels to destroy them and stop leakage. The procedure takes place in your office and takes only minutes; its laser beam must also be carefully controlled so as to not harm healthy tissue.

Macular degeneration treatments vary depending on its stage. If you notice wavy lines, distortion of shapes or colours, or difficulty seeing fine details, visit an ophthalmologist immediately. Dr Ngu has years of experience treating all forms of macular degeneration and can answer any queries regarding treatment plans or scheduling an appointment today by either calling him directly or reaching out via the web. Book your appointment with him by either phoning or contacting him online now!