Macular Degeneration Treatment White Plains New York

Age-related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is the most common form of macular degeneration. There are two main types of AMD:

Dry AMD

This condition is characterized by the presence of drusen, or yellow deposits, in the macula. Initially, minute amounts of drusen do not cause any changes in vision. As these deposits increase, you may notice small changes in your vision, especially when you are reading. As the condition progresses, patients may experience a blind spot in their central vision. This is due to the light-sensing layers of macular cells deteriorating.

Wet AMD

Wet AMD is not as common as the dry form, and accounts for only about 10 percent of those suffering from AMD. It is important to note that wet AMD is more likely to result in vision loss. Wet AMD is characterized by the growth of abnormal blood vessels under the macula. These abnormal blood vessels form during a process called choroidal neovascularization. As these blood vessels grow, they leak blood and fluid into the retina, causing blind spots and loss of central vision. In advanced stages of wet form AMD, the bleeding can form scars that cause permanent loss of central vision.

Signs and Symptoms

You may be developing macular degeneration if you begin to notice that straight lines appear wavy or distorted, or begin developing blurred areas in your central field of vision. In general, if you are over the age of 45, you should schedule an eye examination regardless of whether you are experiencing AMD symptoms, and undergo follow-up exams every two to four years. If you have been diagnosed with AMD, you should contact your ophthalmologist as soon as you notice any changes in vision.

Treatment

Our doctors can treat wet macular degeneration with photocoagulation, a method of sealing leaking blood vessels with a laser. The condition can also be treated with injections of an anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) drug that inhibits the growth of delicate blood vessels beneath the retina.
Dry macular degeneration can be slowed through the use of certain nutritional supplements providing omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and carotenoids. This approach is most effective when the condition is detected in its earliest stages. In later stages, patients may be recommended a special telescopic implantable lens that magnifies the patient's entire field of vision, improving central focus.​

Learn More

If you or a loved one are beginning to experience symptoms of macular degeneration, it is important that you schedule a consultation as soon as possible. We will thoroughly assess your condition to determine which approach is the best way to preserve your vision.