Macular Degeneration Management in Murray, KY
Macular degeneration is a common and serious eye condition that, when left untreated, can lead to permanent vision loss. At Jarvis Vision Center, our macular degeneration doctors take the time to educate our patients about this disease and provide solutions to match each patient’s unique case, because a personalized approach is how we provide the best results.
What is Macular Degeneration?
The macula is the central and most sensitive part of the retina, which lines the back of the eye. It’s responsible for our central vision and gives us the ability to see finer details.
Macular degeneration, also commonly called age-related macular degeneration (AMD), occurs slowly over time as the macula is worn down by external factors like natural aging, blood vessel leakage, or eye trauma. This damage can result in permanent vision loss — in fact, AMD is the leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 50.
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Two Main Forms of AMD
Dry AMD
Dry AMD accounts for nearly 90% of AMD cases. Essentially, the macula begins to thin over time. The loss of central vision can be gradual, advancing through stages known as Early, Intermediate, and Late AMD. Each is characterized by worsening vision loss and symptoms such as difficulty seeing in low light, and a growing inability to make out details.
Wet AMD
Wet AMD is less common, but more severe: because it progresses much faster, it can lead to a rapid loss of central vision. Weak blood vessels begin to form in the retina, which leak and burst. This leakage can strain, damage, and scar macular tissue, causing irreversible distortion, spots, and vision loss if not treated quickly.
Symptoms of AMD
Symptoms of Dry AMD over time may include visual distortion, particularly in your central vision or a specific spot in your field of vision, difficulty reading (especially in lower light), and the inability to see details well without extreme effort. Wet AMD causes more immediate symptoms including visual distortion like wavy lines, blurriness, blind spots, and even total central vision loss.
Any of these are reasons to see a doctor as quickly as possible, before these symptoms progress any further. Early symptoms may not be very noticeable at all, which is why we recommend that everyone schedules an annual eye exam, whether they wear eyewear or not.
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AMD Causes & Risk Factors
While there is no single cause of AMD, there are a number of risk factors for this disease, and it’s important to talk about these with your eye doctor. These may include:
- Your age, as AMD is more common in people over age 50
- Smoking habits
- Obesity and/or high blood pressure
- A family history of AMD and other genetic factors
- Being Caucasian
- Lack of exercise and/or a poor diet
- Certain medications
Testing for AMD at Jarvis Vision Center
Our macular degeneration specialists understand that catching AMD early is crucial to treatment, and have invested in technologies specifically for this purpose.
- We use the QuantifEye MPS to measure Macular Pigment Optical Density (MPOD), which shows us the strength of the pigments that protect the macula and block harmful blue light.
- We also rely on the Optovue Avnati OCT for retinal imaging, and an Optomap for photographing the rear of the eye to better examine your retina and show you up close how it looks.
- A unique tool we have is the Maculogix AdaptDX Pro for dark adaptation testing, which evaluates how well your eyes adapt to low light — an ability that deteriorates with AMD.
Murray, KY Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treatment
Keeping patients informed about AMD, screening for its earliest signs, and acting fast with comprehensive treatment plans are the best ways to slow or stop its onset. There’s no complete cure for AMD, but with our advanced medical testing, our doctors are able to identify patients who might be at risk and adapt our treatment to their specific eyes and disease progression.
We typically put patients on an eye health supplement regimen, including EyePromise AREDS 2 vitamins, which are formulated to promote macular health and slow the progression of dry AMD. We’ll also work closely with local retinal specialists for more advanced cases.
At Jarvis Vision Center, our number one prescription for AMD prevention is an annual comprehensive eye exam with our macular degeneration doctors. Give us a call today at 270-759-1429 or use our convenient online scheduling tool to make your next appointment with us at Jarvis Vision Center.