Macular Degeneration Treatment Options
Age-related macular degeneration, which is also called AMD or ARMD, can cause your central vision to become distorted or blurred. With time, these symptoms can become worse, making it increasingly difficult for AMD sufferers to perform everyday activities like driving, reading the newspaper, or paying bills. This is why detecting early macular degeneration is so critical - so low vision specialists can help you maintain the vision you have left and provide you with the low vision products necessary to help maintain your independence and quality of life.
The type of macular degeneration treatment options available to you will depend on the type of macular degeneration you have. There are two different types: "wet" AMD and "dry" AMD. Wet macular degeneration, which is more severe than dry AMD, is caused when new blood vessels form beneath the retina and leak blood and fluid onto the light-sensitive retinal cells of your eye. The scarring and cell damage that occurs with this type of AMD can create blind spots in your central vision.
Dry AMD is caused by the degeneration or thinning of the macular tissue on your retina. When this occurs, deposits of yellowish pigment form on the retina and prevent it from reflecting and focusing light as it needs to for sharp vision.
Wet Macular Degeneration Treatment
While wet AMD can be much more severe than dry AMD, the one silver lining is that it may be possible to surgically remove the blood vessels causing the central vision loss and improve your vision. In lieu of surgery, you can also begin taking nutritional supplements and antioxidants that help improve the health of your retina. Some of these include selenium, zinc, and vitamins A, C and E. For more information, please visit our Nutrition page.
To help treat the symptoms of wet AMD, our specialists can perform a comprehensive eye exam to analyze your remaining vision and then provide you with many different low vision aids to help you perform the daily activities on your "vision wish list." Some of these custom, macular degeneration devices include hand-held magnifiers, low vision reading glasses, telescopic glasses and other electronic aids.
Dry Macular Degeneration Treatment
While the dry form of AMD is less severe and progresses more slowly than the wet type, there are no surgical macular degeneration treatment options that can help improve your vision. Instead, it is recommended that you take the nutritional supplements mentioned above to help delay the progression of the disease. You should also have your vision analyzed by our specialists so they can adjust your normal prescriptions and provide you with custom-made low vision aids like the ones mentioned above.
Learn More About Your Macular Degeneration Treatment Options
If you would like to learn more about macular degeneration treatment options or more about the prevention of macular degeneration in the elderly, contact an IALVS doctor today. After a thorough eye exam, he or she can recommend the best macular degeneration treatment options for you.
