Age-related Macular Degeneration

Up to 11 million Americans have age-related macular degeneration, an eye disease that blurs central vision. There’s no cure, but prompt treatment can slow the disease’s progression and preserve your eyesight. At Prestige Retina in Allen, Texas, medical and surgical retina specialist Jason Chien, MD, regularly diagnoses and treats age-related macular degeneration. He can make personalized treatment recommendations to keep your eyes healthy and reduce the risk of complications. Call Prestige Retina to schedule age-related macular degeneration treatment, or book your appointment online today.

What is age-related macular degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration is a chronic eye disease that damages the macula, a piece of the retina at the back of the eye responsible for central and color vision. As the disease progresses, seeing things directly in front of you becomes more and more difficult. However, your peripheral (or side vision) isn’t affected.

Macular degeneration affects people of all ages, but it’s most common in those 50 and older. 

Are there different types of age-related macular degeneration?

Prestige Retina treats both types of age-related macular degeneration:

Dry (atrophic) macular degeneration

This type accounts for up to 90% of cases. It occurs when small protein deposits, called drusen, form underneath your macula, causing the tissue to thin. Dry macular degeneration develops slowly and rarely causes blindness.

Wet (exudative) macular degeneration

This type occurs when abnormal blood vessels form beneath your macula and retina. Over time, these blood vessels begin leaking, making the macula bulge outward. Wet macular degeneration develops quickly and typically causes more severe vision loss.

What are the symptoms of age-related macular degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration symptoms include:

• Difficulty seeing in low light
• Blurred vision
• Changes in the way you see colors
• Dark spots in your field of vision

Many people with age-related macular degeneration say straight lines appear curved or wavy.

How is age-related macular degeneration diagnosed?

Your Prestige Retina provider reviews your medical records, asks about your symptoms, and completes a comprehensive eye exam. They may also order several tests, including:

Amsler grid test

During this test, you look at a grid with straight lines and a large dot in the center. You likely have macular degeneration if the lines appear blurry, wavy, or broken.

Dilated eye exam

A dilated eye exam involves your provider placing medicated drops into your eyes that cause your pupils to widen. This lets them see the structures at the back of your eyes, including your macula and retina.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT)

OCT is a type of diagnostic imaging that takes photos of the back of your eyes. It lets your provider see your macula, retina, and surrounding tissues.

How is age-related macular degeneration treated?

Prestige Retina takes a conservative, patient-centered approach to treating age-related macular degeneration. Your treatment plan may include one or more of the following:

• Healthy lifestyle changes, like quitting smoking, exercising, and eating a balanced diet
• Nutritional supplements, like vitamin C, lutein, zinc, or zeaxanthin to slow progression
• Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections to prevent blood vessel formation
• Photodynamic therapy to destroy extra blood vessels 
• Laser photocoagulation to seal and destroy leaking blood vessels

Call Prestige Retina to schedule age-related macular degeneration treatment, or book an appointment online today.