![\"Visual](\"https:\/\/www.eyeconsultantsofpa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/eye-consultants-pa-visual-loss.jpg\" "\\"eye-consultants-pa-visual-loss\\"")
\n\tA<\/strong>t a Glance:<\/strong><\/p>\n Things to know and remember:<\/p>\n What is macular degeneration?<\/strong><\/p>\n Macular degeneration, or age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss in Americans 60 and older. It is a disease that destroys your sharp, central vision. You need central vision to see objects clearly and to do tasks such as reading and driving.<\/p>\n AMD affects the macula, the part of the eye that allows you to see fine detail. It does not hurt, but it causes cells in the macula to die. In some cases, AMD advances so slowly that people notice little change in their vision. In others, the disease progresses faster and may lead to a loss of vision in both eyes. Regular comprehensive eye exams can detect macular degeneration before the disease causes vision loss. Treatment can slow vision loss. It does not restore vision.<\/p>\n\t\t\tWho is at risk for AMD?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t The risk for AMD increases with age. AMD is most common in older people, but it can occur during middle age. Generally, though, the risk increases with age.<\/p>\n Other risk factors include:<\/p>\n Your lifestyle can play a role in reducing your risk of developing AMD.<\/p>\n AMD causes no pain.<\/p>\n AMD blurs the sharp central vision you need for straight-ahead activities such as reading, sewing, and driving. An early symptom of wet AMD is that straight lines appear wavy. The most common symptom of dry AMD is slightly blurred vision. You may have difficulty recognizing faces. You may need more light for reading and other tasks. Dry AMD generally affects both eyes, but vision can be lost in one eye while the other eye seems unaffected. As dry AMD gets worse, you may see a blurred spot in the center of your vision. Over time, as less of the macula functions, central vision in the affected eye can be lost gradually.<\/p>\n In some cases, AMD advances so slowly that people notice little change in their vision. In others, the disease progresses faster and may lead to a loss of vision in both eyes. AMD is a common eye condition among people age 50 and older. It is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults. And vision lost cannot be restored. That’s why early detection and treatment are so important. Make an appointment with one of our experienced macular degeneration specialists.<\/p>\n\t\t\tAre there different kinds of AMD?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t Yes. There are two forms of age-related macular degeneration — dry and wet.<\/p>\n Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels behind the retina start to grow under the macula. These new blood vessels tend to be very fragile and often leak blood and fluid. The blood and fluid raise the macula from its normal place at the back of the eye.<\/p>\n Straight Lines Appear Wavy<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n An early symptom of wet AMD is that straight lines appear wavy. If you notice this condition or other changes to your vision, contact your eye care professional at once. You need a comprehensive dilated eye exam.<\/p>\n Wet AMD is More Severe<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n With wet AMD, loss of central vision can occur quickly. Wet AMD is considered to be advanced AMD and is more severe than the dry form.<\/p>\n Dry AMD occurs when the light-sensitive cells in the macula slowly break down, gradually blurring central vision in the affected eye. As dry AMD gets worse, you may see a blurred spot in the center of your vision. Over time, as less of the macula functions, central vision in the affected eye can be lost gradually.<\/p>\n The most common symptom of dry AMD is slightly blurred vision. You may have difficulty recognizing faces. You may need more light for reading and other tasks. Dry AMD generally affects both eyes, but vision can be lost in one eye while the other eye seems unaffected.<\/p>\n One of the most common early signs of dry AMD is drusen. Drusen are yellow deposits under the retina. They often are found in people over age 60. Your eye care professional can detect drusen during a comprehensive dilated eye exam.<\/p>\n\t\t\tWhat are the stages of Dry AMD<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t Dry AMD has three stages — early AMD, intermediate AMD, and advanced dry AMD. All of these may occur in one or both eyes.<\/p>\n People with early dry AMD have either several small drusen or a few medium-sized drusen. At this stage, there are no symptoms and no vision loss.<\/p>\n People with intermediate dry AMD have either many medium-sized drusen or one or more large drusen. Some people see a blurred spot in the center of their vision. More light may be needed for reading and other tasks.<\/p>\n In addition to drusen, people with advanced dry AMD have a breakdown of light-sensitive cells and supporting tissue in the macula. This breakdown can cause a blurred spot in the center of your vision.<\/p>\n Over time, the blurred spot may get bigger and darker, taking more of your central vision. You may have difficulty reading or recognizing faces until they are very close to you.<\/p>\n\t\t\tDoes Wet AMD have similar stages?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t No. The wet form of AMD is considered Advanced AMD.<\/p>\n\t\t\tCan advanced AMD be either the dry form or the wet form?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t Yes. Both the wet form and the advanced dry form are considered advanced AMD. Vision loss occurs with either form. In most cases, only advanced AMD can cause vision loss.<\/p>\n\t\t\tCan the dry form turn into the wet form?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t Yes. All people who have the wet form had the dry form first. The dry form can advance and cause vision loss without turning into the wet form. The dry form also can suddenly turn into the wet form, even during early stage AMD. There is no way to tell if or when the dry form will turn into the wet form.<\/p>\n\t\t\tCan I get Dry AMD in just one eye?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t Dry AMD generally affects both eyes, but vision can be lost in one eye while the other eye seems unaffected. If you have vision loss from dry AMD in one eye only, you may not notice any changes in your overall vision. With the other eye seeing clearly, you can still drive, read, and see fine details. You may notice changes in your vision only if AMD affects both eyes. If you experience blurry vision, see an eye care professional for a comprehensive dilated eye exam.<\/p>\n\t\t\tWhat are drusen?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t Drusen are yellow deposits under the retina. They often are found in people over age 50. Your eye care professional can detect drusen during a comprehensive dilated eye exam.<\/p>\n\t\t\tDo drusen cause vision loss in advanced dry AMD?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t Drusen alone do not usually cause vision loss. In fact, scientists are unclear about the connection between drusen and AMD. They do know that an increase in the size or number of drusen raises a person’s risk of developing either advanced dry AMD or wet AMD. These changes can cause serious vision loss.<\/p>\n\t\t\tWhat can I do to protect my vision?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t You should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year. Your eye care professional can monitor your condition and check for other eye diseases. You may also be advised to take the AREDS supplementation.<\/p>\n During an eye exam, you may be asked to look at an Amsler grid. You will cover one eye and stare at a black dot in the center of the grid. While staring at the dot, you may notice that the straight lines in the pattern appear wavy. You may notice that some of the lines are missing. These may be signs of AMD.<\/p>\n Because dry AMD can turn into wet AMD at any time, you should get an Amsler grid from your eye care professional. You could then use the grid every day to evaluate your vision for signs of wet AMD.<\/p>\n\t\t\tWhat can I do if I already have lost some vision from AMD?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t If you have lost some sight from AMD, ask your eye care professional about low vision services and devices that may help you make the most of your remaining vision.<\/p>\n Ask for a referral to a specialist in low vision. Many community organizations and agencies offer information about low vision counseling, training, and other special services for people with visual impairments.<\/p>\n Don’t be afraid to use your eyes for reading, watching TV, and other routine activities. Normal use of your eyes will not cause further damage to your vision.<\/p>\n How is AMD diagnosed?<\/strong><\/p>\n AMD is detected during a comprehensive eye exam that includes a multitude of tests. Tests for AMD include:<\/p>\n Your eye care professional also may do other tests to learn more about the structure and health of your eye.<\/p>\n While staring at the dot, you may notice that the straight lines in the pattern appear wavy. You may notice that some of the lines are missing. These may be signs of AMD.<\/p>\n Because dry AMD can turn into wet AMD at any time, you should get an Amsler grid from your eye care professional. You could then use the grid every day to evaluate your vision for signs of wet AMD.<\/p>\n The Fluorescein Angiogram Test:<\/em> <\/strong>If your eye care professional believes you need treatment for wet AMD, he or she may suggest a fluorescein angiogram. In this test, a special dye is injected into your arm. Pictures are taken as the dye passes through the blood vessels in your eye. The test allows your eye care professional to identify any leaking blood vessels and recommend treatment.<\/p>\n OCT:<\/em> <\/strong>A procedure to measure retinal thickness.<\/p>\n\t\t\tHow is AMD treated?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t <\/p>\n Early treatment of intermediate AMD can delay and possibly prevent the advanced stages of AMD from occurring. When treating Wet AMD, the doctor will prescribe either injectable drug treatments, laser surgery, or photodynamic therapy based on the location and extent of the abnormal blood vessels. In rare cases, submacular hemorrhage displacement surgery may be used.<\/p>\n Once Dry AMD<\/strong> reaches the advanced stage, no form of treatment can prevent vision loss. However, treatment can delay and possibly prevent intermediate AMD from progressing to the advanced stage. The National Eye Institute’s Age-Related Eye Disease Study found that taking certain vitamins and minerals may reduce the risk of developing advanced AMD.<\/p>\n Wet AMD<\/strong> can be treated with laser surgery, photodynamic therapy, and injections into the eye. None of these treatments is a cure for wet AMD. The disease and loss of vision may progress despite treatment.<\/p>\n Laser Surgery: <\/em><\/strong>Laser surgery uses a laser to destroy the fragile, leaky blood vessels. Only a small percentage of people with wet AMD can be treated with laser surgery. Laser surgery is performed in a doctor’s office or eye clinic. The risk of new blood vessels developing after laser treatment is high. Repeated treatments may be necessary. In some cases, vision loss may progress despite repeated treatments.<\/p>\n Photodynamic Therapy: <\/em><\/strong>With photodynamic therapy, a drug called verteporfin is injected into your arm. It travels throughout the body, including the new blood vessels in your eye. The drug tends to stick to the surface of new blood vessels.<\/p>\n Next, the doctor shines a light into your eye for about 90 seconds. The light activates the drug. The activated drug destroys the new blood vessels and leads to a slower rate of vision decline.<\/p>\n Unlike laser surgery, verteporfin does not destroy surrounding healthy tissue. Because the drug is activated by light, you must avoid exposing your skin or eyes to direct sunlight or bright indoor light for five days after treatment. Photodynamic therapy is relatively painless. It takes about 20 minutes and can be performed in a doctor’s office.<\/p>\n Photodynamic therapy slows the rate of vision loss. It does not stop vision loss or restore vision in eyes already damaged by advanced AMD. Treatment results often are temporary. You may need to be treated again.<\/p>\n Drug Treatment for Wet AMD: <\/em><\/strong>Wet AMD can now be treated with new drugs that are injected into the eye (anti-VEGF therapy). Abnormally high levels of a specific growth factor occur in eyes with wet AMD and promote the growth of abnormal new blood vessels. This drug treatment blocks the effects of the growth factor.<\/p>\n You will need multiple injections that may be given as often as monthly. The eye is numbed before each injection. After the injection, you will remain in the doctor’s office for a while and your eye will be monitored. This drug treatment can help slow down vision loss from AMD and in some cases improve sight.<\/p>\n\t\t\tWhat is the AREDS formulation?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t The AREDS formulation is a combination of antioxidants and zinc that is named for a study conducted by The National Eye Institute called the Age-Related Eye Disease Study, or AREDS. This study found that taking a specific high-dose formulation of antioxidants and zinc significantly reduced the risk of advanced AMD and its associated vision loss. Slowing AMD’s progression from the intermediate stage to the advanced stage will save many people’s vision.<\/p>\n The daily amounts used by the study researchers were 500 milligrams of vitamin C, 400 International Units of vitamin E, 15 milligrams of beta-carotene, 80 milligrams of zinc as zinc oxide, and 2 milligrams of copper as cupric oxide. Copper was added to the AREDS formulation containing zinc to prevent copper deficiency anemia, a condition associated with high levels of zinc intake.<\/p>\n\t\t\tWho should take the AREDS formulation?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t People who are at high risk for developing advanced AMD should consider taking the formulation. You are at high risk for developing advanced AMD if you have either intermediate AMD in one or both eyes\u2028OR\u2028advanced AMD, dry or wet, in one eye but not the other eye.<\/p>\n Your eye care professional can tell you if you have AMD, its stage, and your risk for developing the advanced form. The AREDS formulation is not a cure for AMD. It will not restore vision already lost from the disease. However, it may delay the onset of advanced AMD. It may help people who are at high risk for developing advanced AMD keep their vision.<\/p>\n\t\t\tCan people with early stage AMD take the AREDS formulation to help prevent the disease from progressing to the intermediate stage?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t There is no reason for those diagnosed with early stage AMD to take the AREDS formulation. The study did not find that the formulation helped those with early stage AMD.<\/p>\n If you have early stage AMD, a comprehensive dilated eye exam every year can help determine if the disease is progressing. If early stage AMD progresses to the intermediate stage, discuss taking the formulation with your doctor.<\/p>\n\t\t\tWhat is the research on AMD?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t The National Eye Institute is conducting and supporting a number of studies to learn more about AMD. For example, scientists are:<\/p>\n This research should provide better ways to detect, treat, and prevent vision loss in people with AMD.<\/p>\n Find out what insurance we accept and what is covered by insurance.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFind Out\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n Physician information including education, training, practice location and more.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn More\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n Schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tREQUEST APPOINTMENT\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCall 1-800-762-7132\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Learn more about macular degeneration What is macular degeneration? Symptoms, treatment options and more! Make an appointment: REQUEST APPOINTMENT Call 1-800-762-7132 At a Glance: Things to know and remember: There are two forms of age-related macular degeneration — dry and wet. The risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) increases with age. AMD is most common …<\/p>\n\n
\n\t\tAbout Macular Degeneration\n\t<\/h2>\n\t
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\n\t\tDiagnosis & Treatment Options\n\t<\/h2>\n\t
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![\"Amsler](\"https:\/\/www.eyeconsultantsofpa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/amsler-grid.png\")
The Amsler Grid:<\/strong><\/em> During an eye exam, you may be asked to look at an Amsler grid, shown here. You will cover one eye and stare at a black dot in the center of the grid.<\/p>\n\n
\n\t\tDoes my insurance plan
cover my eye care?\n\t<\/h3>\n\t\n\t\tLearn more about our macular degeneration specialists\n\t<\/h3>\n\t
\n\t\tSchedule an Appointment\n\t<\/h2>\n\t