Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is a leading cause of vision loss in older people. It’s an eye disease affecting a specific part of the retina, known as the macula. The eye doctors at Vision Institute, in Colorado Springs, CO, provide comprehensive vision services, including diagnosis and treatment of macular degeneration. They have two convenient locations in Colorado Springs, CO, to help you.

What You Need to Know about Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration, also known as AMD, comes in two types:

Dry AMD, which is the most common type, accounts for about 80% of people who are diagnosed with AMD. Dry AMD is caused by age-related thinning of the macula and the growth of small clumps of protein.

Wet AMD, which is a more serious type of AMD, is caused by the growth of abnormal blood vessels under the retina. These abnormal vessels leak fluid and blood, which can lead to scarring of the macula.

AMD causes loss of your central vision, so you may notice:

• Blurred vision 

• Straight lines appearing wavy

• Inability to pick out fine details

• A dark area in the center of your vision field

You are at increased risk of AMD if you:

• Smoke

• Eat a high saturated fat diet

• Are overweight or obese

• Are over 50 years old

• Have heart disease

• Have high blood pressure

• Have high cholesterol

• Have a family history of AMD
  
  

Currently, dry AMD has no treatment, but there are some supplements you can take to help your vision. These include:

• Vitamin C (500 mg)

• Vitamin E (400 IU)

• Lutein (10 mg) 

• Zeaxanthin (2 mg)

• Zinc (80 mg)

• Copper (2 mg)
  
  

If you have wet AMD, your eye doctor may recommend anti-VEGF drug therapy, or laser surgery, to reduce abnormal blood vessels and lessen leakage of blood and fluid into the macula.

Talk with Our Eye Doctor Today

To learn more about macular degeneration and how your eye doctor can help, call the eye doctors at Vision Institute, with two locations in Colorado Springs, CO. You can reach them by calling (719) 559-2020. Call today.