Our Eye Doctors Can Treat Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Are you experiencing blurry vision? This is just one of the signs of macular degeneration, which is a condition that attacks the center section of your retina, also known as the macula. The macula is a light-sensitive tissue that helps us see things sharp and clear. As it degenerates, your central field of vision deteriorates, making certain activities difficult to do. There is no cure, but we at Michigan Eyecare Institute know a variety of treatment options, such as eye surgery, that can help slow the progression of the condition.
Risk Factors
Macular degeneration is a condition that occurs in people 60 and older. However, age is not the only risk factor. Here are some other factors that can put you at a bigger risk, including:
- Family history – If AMD runs in a family, this puts you more at risk to develop it as well.
- Smoking – Studies have found that smoking can increase your risk for macular degeneration.
- Race – AMD has been found to strike more in Caucasians than in other races.
AMD Prevention
You can prevent AMD by making healthier lifestyle choices, such as
- Stop smoking
- Protecting your eyes from UV rays with sunglasses
- Eating a well-balanced diet of leafy greens, vegetables, and fish
- Seeing your optometrist or ophthalmologist regularly for an eye exam
All of these lifestyle changes can help slow down the disease.
Types of Macular Degeneration
AMD can occur in two different ways. One is wet macular degeneration and the other, dry macular degeneration.
- Dry AMD- Dry macular degeneration is the most common type. It occurs when drusen, or yellow deposits, accumulate right underneath where the macula lies, leading to loss of central vision.
- Wet AMD- Wet AMD happens when abnormal blood vessels start to grow under the macula and leak or burst, distorting vision.
Eye Care Treatments
Your treatment plan will depend on the severity of the condition. Your ophthmalogist or optometrist may recommend the following options:
- Lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise
- Anti-angiogenic drugs
- Laser therapy
- Low vision aids
- Eye surgery
Make Michigan Eyecare Institute Your Eye Center Place in Southfield, Livonia, and Dearborn
If you have any concerns about your eye health or vision, then let our eye doctors at Michigan Eyecare Institute help you. Our ophthalmologists and optometrists are happy to serve Southfield, Livonia, Dearborn, and surrounding areas. Give us a call today at 248-352-2806 to schedule an eye exam appointment.
