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WHAT IS MACULAR DEGENERATION
Macular degeneration is a disease of the macula- a small area in the retina at the back of the eye. The macula allows you to see fine details clearly and do things such as read and drive. When the macula does not work properly, your central vision can be blurry and have areas that are dark or distorted. Macular degeneration affects your ability to see near and far, and can make some activities—like threading a needle or reading – difficult or impossible.
Macular degeneration is the most common cause of severe vision loss in people older than 50.
Although macular degeneration reduces vision in the central part of the retina, it usually does not affect the eye’s side (peripheral) vision. For example, you may be able to see the utline of a clock but not be able to tell what time it is. Macular degeneration alone usually does not cause total blindness. Even in more advanced cases, people usually continue to have some useful vision and are often able to take care of themselves. In some cases, macular degeneration may not affect you vision very much. In other cases, however, vision loss may be more rapid and severe.
WHAT CAUSES MACULAR DEGENERATION?
Many older people develop macular degeneration as part of the body’s natural aging process. There are different kinds of macular problems, but the most common is age-related macular degeneration (AMD or ARMD).
DRY MACULAR DEGENERATION
Ninety percent of people with AMD have the “dry” form. This condition is caused by damage (oxidative stress) and results in thinning of macular tissue. Vision loss is usually gradual. Many people with this form also have difficulty adjusting to changes in light. For example, they may find it takes them some time to adjust to seeing indoors when they come in from outside.
WET MACULAR DEGERNATION
Ten percent of people who have AMD have the “wet” form. Many of these people develop significant vision loss. Wet AMD results when abnormal blood vessels form underneath the retina. These new blood vessels leak fluid or blood and blur central vision. Vision loss may be rapid and severe.
HOW IS MACULAR DEGENERATION TREATED?
Anti-VEGF Treatments, Laser Surgery and PDT. The most common treatment for wet AMD involves injection a drug into the eye that stops blood vessel growth and bleeding. These drugs, know as VEGF blockers or anti-VEGF treatments, target a specific chemical in your body that causes abnormal blood vessels to grow under the retina. That chemical is called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). These anti-VEGF treatments improve vision in some people with wet AMD.
Certain types of wet macular degeneration can be treated with laser Surgery, which is a brief, outpatient procedure that uses a focused beam of light to slow or stop leaking blood vessels that damage the macula.
For more information on Macular Degeneration and types of treatment, please contact:
Lauren R. Rosecan, M. D.,Ph.D.,F.A.C.S., PA
The Retina Institute of Florida with four offices conveniently located in Palm Beach and Martin county.
Toll Free Phone Number: 1-800-445-8898 or 561-832-4411
West Palm Beach 901 North Flagler Drive, 33401 (561) 832-4411 Office (561) 832-1591 Fax
Stuart 618 East Ocean Blvd., #3, 34994 (772) 287-7026 Office (772) 220-4186 Fax
Palm Beach Gardens 11382 Prosperity Farms Rd., #128, 33410 (561) 627-7311 Office (561) 627-6791 Fax
Boca Raton 1050 NW 15th Street, #114, 33486 (561) 368-7723 Office (561) 368-0093 Fax
