AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION
Is Age-Related Macular Degeneration Eating Holes in Your Vision?
AMD or age-related macular degeneration is an eye disease that slowly causes irreparable vision loss. It typically doesn’t produce any symptoms, meaning that by the time patients notice something is wrong, permanent damage has already been done. AMD is Canada’s leading cause of severe vision loss.
The Cause of Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Overall, AMD is caused by the general process of ageing, however, factors like smoking, poor nutrition, and diabetes can increase your risk. The cause of the vision loss associated with AMD depends on the form the disease has taken.
Dry form AMD is more common and less severe than its counterpart. The macula is a very light-sensitive area of the retina which is responsible for your central vision. When yellowish fatty deposits called drusen collect around the macula, it starts to thin and dry out. As a result, the macula doesn’t function properly.
Left untreated, the dry form of AMD can become the more serious wet form.
Wet form AMD develops when blood vessels in and around the retina start to fail. Your body tries to combat this by growing new blood vessels, however, the new vessels are weak, irregular, and prone to leaking blood and fluid into the interior of the eye. This can lead to scarring, which obscures the macula, causing a significant loss of central vision.
Although existing damage from wet form AMD can’t be undone, further damage can be prevented or delayed with treatment.
The Solution
Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treatment
AMD is most commonly treated with monthly intraocular injections. The drug injected into the eye hinders the development of new and irregular blood vessels.
Our optometrist will happily discuss any and all treatment options with you, making sure to answer your questions and address any concerns you may have.
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Regular Eye Exams
AMD doesn’t typically show any symptoms other than vision loss; and once that vision is lost, it’s gone forever. The best and only way to catch AMD before it causes serious damage to your vision is by having regular eye exams. Our staff will carefully assess your eye health, thoroughly searching for any indication of AMD or other eye diseases. We’ll carefully walk you through all of our findings, and explain any necessary treatment options to you. Book your eye exam with us today.