Macular Degeneration
The retina is the tissue that is inside back of the eye. It absorbs light and converts it into neural signals to send to the brain to allow you to process images. When the retina works it produces lipid and protein waste. When these waste products are not properly eliminated by our retinal cells it results in deposits called drusen. These drusen deposits can sometimes distort vision depending on severity and location.
Macular Degeneration is a disease that affects the region of the retina called the macula. The macula is the part of the eye that is responsible for fine detail in the center of vision. It is also contributes to color vision. That is why the macula is such an important structure for vision.
There are two forms of the disease: Dry macular degeneration and wet macular degeneration.
Dry Macular Degeneration
- Dry macular degeneration the deterioration of the macula which includes the formation of drusen. In the dry form there is an absence of any leakage or bleeding as a result of new blood vessel growth. Close monitoring of this stage of macular degeneration is crucial to monitor further vision loss.
Wet Macular Degeneration
- Wet macular degeneration is when is abnormal blood vessel growth in the macula that can cause leakage or bleeding. Dry macular degeneration can progress to the wet form. Wet macular degeneration requires immediate treatment to prevent further vision loss.
Who is at risk?
• Being over the age of 55
• Disease affects Caucasians more commonly
• Family history of macular degeneration
• UV exposure
• Cardiovascular disease (High Cholesterol, Hypertension, Diabetes)
• Smoking
• High BMI
Diagnosis
Annual Eye Health Examinations with your eye doctor. Your doctor will screen you for this condition.
Treatment
There are no in office treatment for dry macular degeneration. If you are diagnosed with dry macular degeneration, your eye doctor will closely monitor you and counsel you on lifestyle changes to help slow down the progression. Therefore, it is still important for eye exams.
As for wet macular degeneration, treatment is available to stop further vision loss. Immediate treatment is necessary to prevent further vision loss.
Dr. Jerry Cao at Two C Eye Care in Manvel, TX screens for macular degeneration in patients from Rosharon, Iowa Colony, Alvin, Pearland, Houston, and surrounding areas. His office has specialized equipment to screen and monitor for the disease. Fundus photography documents surface changes of the retina. Optical coherence tomography utilizes light to take cross sections of the macula to find underlying changes. These specialized tests help diagnose the disease at early stages and monitor for progression of the disease.