Macular degeneration occurs when the central part of your retina becomes compromised due to age-related changes. It often results in blurry or distorted vision but rarely results in total blindness.

UF Health offers specialists who can prescribe medications and procedures to slow macular degeneration, extend vision and make living with this condition manageable. For optimal results, early diagnosis and follow up are key.

Early Diagnosis

Macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of blindness among Americans aged 50 and up, occurring when light-sensing cells located at the back of your eye cease to function properly, leading to blurry central vision, making straight lines seem wavy, and impairing your ability to see details in low lighting environments. There are three stages of macular degeneration and early diagnosis is key for protecting vision.

Dry macular degeneration typically progresses without symptoms and gradually, and its initial sign is yellow deposits called drusen under the retina that can be detected during dilated eye examination. Progression of this stage may be delayed by taking certain vitamins known to slow its progress such as vitamins C and E, lutein and zeaxanthin; visiting your optometrist regularly is therefore imperative in order to receive timely diagnosis.

At this stage of macular degeneration, blurriness begins to interfere with daily activities and you notice it’s more challenging to read or drive a car. Your colors may also seem faded or yellowed.

At this point, peripheral vision can still provide enough of a path toward functioning normally. Your eye exam may detect a fluid leak under the retina that requires treatment with painless injections of medication to absorb it. Your doctor may also opt to perform fluorescein angiography: injecting yellow dye into blood vessels before using special cameras to quickly take photos while it absorbs into retinal layers.

Wet macular degeneration is more severe than its dry form, as it can quickly and permanently decrease vision. Its cause lies within abnormal blood vessels growing into your retinal blood supply causing hemorrhages that damage vision; medications like VEGF inhibitors may help slow this growth by curtailing these blood vessel growths to prevent bleeding and preserve vision loss.

Early Treatment

Macular degeneration is an age-related eye disease that gradually erodes the macula of the retina and leads to blurred or distorted central vision, the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment among people over 50. Progression may be gradual or rapid; even advanced cases often do not result in complete blindness as peripheral vision is often preserved, enabling patients to remain independent through coping mechanisms and lifestyle adjustments. At UF Health Ophthalmologists we have made significant strides against age-related macular degeneration which impacts over 15 million Americans.

Macular degeneration is preventable through healthy lifestyle choices and regular eye exams with a retina specialist, who will detect early signs of macular degeneration before it progresses and leads to major eye issues.

AMD (Age-related Macular Degeneration), known as dry macular degeneration, does not pose any immediate threat to your eyesight and generally causes no noticeable symptoms. At this stage it is still wise to visit an eye doctor regularly so they can monitor its progression and spot any changes before it progresses further.

At this stage, your doctor may detect small yellow deposits under your retina known as drusen which have yet to become noticeable in central vision. They can only be detected during an eye exam and could grow over time.

At intermediate or atrophic macular degeneration, distortions in central vision cause difficulties with seeing details or light colors clearly, making reading or driving harder than before. Your retina specialist can identify this stage through examination of the back of your eye with an ophthalmoscope or retinal camera and examination of central vision using a special magnifying device.

Wet macular degeneration (WMD), the final stage of macular degeneration, occurs when abnormal blood vessels form beneath the retina and leak fluid or blood into the macula, leading to damage and rapid loss of central vision. WMD accounts for around 10% of severe vision loss from macular degeneration; its progression can be reduced or avoided altogether through treatments like anti-VEGF eye injections or thermal laser surgery.

Intermediate Treatment

At this stage, light sensitive tissue in the back of your eye called the macula begins to break down and eventually loses its ability to function normally, blurring central vision and making reading or driving a car increasingly difficult.

UF Health retinal specialists are conducting ongoing research into ways to slow the progression and regain central vision in those living with retinal detachment. The initial step should be conducting a comprehensive exam – this may involve using an Amsler grid as part of an eye test; optical coherence tomography uses laser scans of cross sections; occasionally fluorescein angiography may be performed where yellow dye is injected into veins in your arm and digital photos taken as it travels through blood vessels, showing any new abnormal blood vessel growth under retina.

Ten to fifteen percent of early stage macular degeneration sufferers don’t progress to wet form of macular degeneration. In wet macular degeneration, abnormal blood vessels form under weakened areas due to drusen or atrophy and leak fluid and bleed permanently causing permanent loss of central vision. Wet macular degeneration generally begins in one eye but may eventually affect both.

Studies suggest that those who smoke, have high cholesterol and/or blood pressure levels, or take medications which increase risk are at greater risk for macular degeneration than others; regular dilated eye exams to prevent this are recommended as preventative measures.

Although wet macular degeneration cannot be reversed, its progression can be avoided through eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables – particularly green leafy ones – including plenty of fresh green vegetables. Furthermore, taking vitamins C & E as well as supplements like lutein/zeaxanthin/zinc/copper may help protect eyesight; speak to an ophthalmologist about which supplements would best fit you personally.

Late Treatment

UF Health ophthalmologists have made impressive advances in their efforts to combat macular degeneration, an eye disease which causes central vision to blur or distort gradually over time. Macular degeneration affects the retina lining on the back of your eyeball and specifically, the macula in its center; this part collects fine details and sends them directly to your brain for interpretation. If you suffer from macular degeneration, central vision may appear blurry or wavy making reading and driving difficult; peripheral vision may still function and you may use special devices aides or assistive devices aids to aid with these tasks.

Macular degeneration comes in two varieties – “Dry” and “Wet”. Dry macular degeneration results from yellow deposits underneath the retina known as drusen, followed by gradual vision loss over time. Wet macular degeneration occurs due to abnormal blood vessels leaking serum or fluid into the macula which leads to rapid vision loss or permanent blindness.

No cure exists for macular degeneration; however, studies indicate that high dose vitamins and antioxidants, along with omega 3 fatty acid supplements may slow its progress. Furthermore, having annual dilated examinations starting at age 45 is recommended in order to detect early changes that might otherwise go undetected in your eyesight.

OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) is another diagnostic tool used to detect and monitor macular degeneration. OCT captures cross-sectional images of the retina and can identify drusen, new blood vessels, hemorrhaging and thinning retinal layers as indicators of macular degeneration. With this information in hand, a doctor can assess whether or not someone is suffering from wet AMD and recommend the most suitable treatment plan. An OCT test is non-invasive and painless procedure. Lucentis and Avastin are currently two medications available to treat wet macular degeneration, both administered via eye injection. Both work to counteract vascular endothelial growth factor, the protein responsible for stimulating abnormal blood vessels that lead to wet AMD. While not a cure, these treatments can significantly improve and stabilize vision so individuals can live fuller lives.