The macula is the part of your eye which picks up fine detail. Degeneration of this area will result in loss of sharpness making reading and recognising faces difficult. However this does not affect your ability to walk around as it doesn’t affect peripheral vision.
There are 2 main types of macular degeneration:
Dry (Non-neovascular) – slow progressing gradual loss of visual function due to poor circulation at the back of the eye. Small deposits called drusen may form in the retina.
No treatment has yet been developed but dietary supplements are recommended for certain cases of dry AMD.
Wet (Neovascular) – results when abnormal blood vessels grow behind the macula and leak fluid causing quite rapid loss of vision. Straight lines may appear distorted and if this change occurs you should be seen as an emergency. Treatment options include injections of medications into the eye (anti-VEGF therapy) for wet AMD.
OCT scanning is critical for detecting early changes on macular degeneration.
Symptoms of macular degeneration include blurred or distorted central vision, difficulty seeing fine details, and changes in color perception.
Regular eye exams are essential for monitoring macular health and detecting any changes in vision. If you notice any symptoms of macular degeneration, it’s important to consult an eye care professional promptly for evaluation and appropriate management.
We are dedicated to offering the best eye care and to provide a more detailed eye examination-an enhanced eye exam-with OCT. OCT is a non-invasive scan, which uses light waves to take a detailed cross section of the retina, including the macular area. This is essential for diagnosing the difference between dry and wet AMD.
Please ask for our Enhanced Eye Examination at time of booking.
