Macular degeneration is an eye condition characterized by gradual vision loss due to abnormal blood vessels leaking blood and fluid beneath the macula in the retina.

Early symptoms may be difficult to detect. Therefore, regular visits to an eye doctor for comprehensive examination including slit lamp examination and fluorescein angiography is of vital importance.

Blurred or hazy vision

Macular degeneration often manifests itself in blurred or hazy vision due to deterioration of your macula – the part of your retina responsible for central vision – being affected. Without central vision it becomes harder to read, drive or recognize faces; while peripheral or side vision remains unaffected so you can still move around freely and carry out daily tasks.

Macular degeneration occurs when your macula loses the ability to send accurate images of straight ahead objects into your brain, leading to blurred central vision and straight objects such as telephone poles or venetian blinds appearing crooked. Macular degeneration may start gradually or suddenly; when this occurs it is important that you see an eye doctor immediately in order to avoid further damage and begin treatment if required.

There are two forms of macular degeneration; dry and wet. In its milder forms, “dry” degeneration occurs when thinned and broken macula cells cause blurry central vision, while less frequent but more serious “wet” degeneration occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow underneath the macula and leak fluid, leading to rapid and severe vision loss.

Macular degeneration affects your ability to see fine details, performing activities such as reading, driving and recognising faces. Both forms of macular degeneration reduce this vision capacity but should still allow you to use peripheral or side vision; macular degeneration only affects central vision, leaving side and peripheral vision unchanged.

Blurry vision may be indicative of any number of conditions, from cataracts – which can usually be treated through surgery – to multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease – so if you experience blurred or hazy vision it is especially important that you visit an optometrist to have this evaluated as soon as possible.

Macular degeneration is difficult to diagnose early due to varying symptoms between individuals. Therefore, an eye examination must be conducted in order to establish its exact cause and whether you have either dry or wet macular degeneration. Based on these results, eye care providers may offer treatments designed to slow vision loss such as medications and laser therapy treatments.

Difficulty reading

Macular degeneration symptoms include trouble reading fine print or details, difficulty recognising faces or colors, gradual blurriness enveloping central vision and blind spots or distortion of straight lines appearing, gradually. Individuals exhibiting these signs should visit an eye care professional immediately in order to assess whether macular degeneration is present.

Researchers don’t yet fully understand what causes macular degeneration; however, diets rich in antioxidants could play a part in its prevention. Two nutrients in particular appear to play an essential role: lutein and zeaxanthin. Both naturally occur within our eyes as antioxidants or can be taken as nutritional supplements; their main job is neutralizing oxygen free radicals – harmful molecules which damage cells leading to macular degeneration. Other risk factors for macular degeneration are age, race and smoking.

Macular degeneration comes in two varieties, dry and wet. Around 85% of cases of macular degeneration involve the dry form, in which tiny clumps of yellow protein called drusen slowly build up under the retina, leading to no noticeable loss of vision and usually progressing slowly. Ten to fifteen percent of cases involve abnormal blood vessels forming beneath the retina that leak fluid or blood; wet macular degeneration is more serious and may result in sudden vision loss over time.

Your eye care professional can identify macular degeneration through conducting a comprehensive dilated eye exam. This may involve gathering history data, performing a slit lamp examination and various vision testing measures. Furthermore, fluorescein angiography may also be performed; this involves injecting dye into veins before taking photos as your retina absorbs it.

Macular degeneration cannot be treated, but its progression may be delayed if you follow your physician’s recommendations. You should generally consume a balanced diet while protecting your eyes from ultraviolet light – wearing sunglasses and a visored hat are especially essential when outdoors. Also important are getting enough vitamin C, E, zeaxanthin and zinc; your eye care professional may suggest photodynamic therapy or photocoagulation treatments as potential solutions.

A dark spot in your central vision

Macular degeneration is easily recognized by a dark spot in your central vision. This occurs because retinal damage prevents clear images from reaching your brain, leading to gradual vision loss straight ahead. While peripheral (side or distance) vision remains clear, making navigation, driving, reading or detailed work such as threading needles difficult.

Macular degeneration comes in two varieties, wet and dry. Dry macular degeneration is more often experienced as retinal cells begin to break down over time, leading the macula to thin out over time and eventually becoming thinner and dry – sometimes this results in cells clumping together and creating spots or blank areas in your central vision.

At its onset, macular degeneration may not produce noticeable visual symptoms; your doctor can diagnose this type of macular degeneration with a comprehensive eye exam that includes slit lamp examination and various forms of vision testing – including fluorescein angiography which involves injecting harmless orange-red dye into veins in your arm that travel directly to retinal blood vessels for examination.

Studies suggest that specific nutrients and vitamins may help slow or delay macular degeneration. This includes antioxidant carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin found in green leafy vegetables and many fruits; you can also take nutritional supplements that contain these compounds.

Macular Scotomas, or dark spots in your central vision, are characteristic symptoms of age-related macular degeneration and less common wet macular degeneration. Wet macular degeneration occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow beneath your retina and leak fluid into the macula, blurring your central vision more severely than in dry forms of macular degeneration. Laser therapy may help slow progression by sealing these leaky blood vessels; although this will not restore lost central vision immediately.

Sudden distortion of your central vision

The macula is responsible for managing the central area of your vision, collecting detailed images from the retina and transmitting them via optic nerve to the brain. This part of your vision allows you to read, drive, use computers/smartphones/devices as well as recognize faces/colors/objects straight ahead. When this area of your vision becomes blurred or blank it could be indicative of macular degeneration; whether both eyes are affected equally or one alone and usually doesn’t lead to total blindness; however it will hinder activities which require sharp clear central vision such as driving/reading/computer use/use or smartphone use/use etc.

Macular degeneration’s initial stage, dry macular degeneration, typically begins when small yellow or white deposits of fatty protein known as drusen form beneath the retina. While initially these deposits don’t cause symptoms, over time your macula may thin and stop working properly, prompting it’s important to closely monitor eye health at this stage and report any changes to vision to your doctor immediately.

At this stage, drusen may continue to increase and cause symptoms like distortion or waviness in straight lines like telephone poles or venetian blinds. People in this stage typically still possess good peripheral or side vision but will find it more challenging to perform tasks like reading or driving safely; colors will become less vibrant too.

Wet macular degeneration occurs when abnormal blood vessels form beneath the retina and leak fluid into the macula, rapidly worsening vision. People experiencing wet macular degeneration can notice sudden changes to their vision that require immediate medical intervention; those experiencing symptoms should visit an ophthalmologist immediately for diagnosis and treatment.

Macular degeneration currently has no known cure, though its progression may be delayed through taking supplements such as vitamin C, E, lutein and zeaxanthin as well as zinc. Furthermore, regular eye examinations with Dr. Richlin, OD & Associates may detect early symptoms and provide you with opportunities to halt its progress.