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Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is typically an age-related disease affecting millions of people age 65 or older. As the body ages, the structures within the eye are less able to respond to changes in the visual environment. When these changes occur to the macula – the portion of the retina that produces sharp, clear vision – macular degeneration may occur, and the patient begins to notice a loss of central vision.

Two subcategories of macular degeneration are wet and dry. Dry macular degeneration, the more common form, is the early stage of the disease where the thinning and aging of the macula lead to excess pigment formation that leaves tiny deposits, called drusen, in the tissues of the eye. If dry macular degeneration is undiagnosed and untreated, wet macular degeneration may subsequently develop. It occurs as the body responds to the dry macular degeneration by forming a new network of blood vessels in the eyes. As these vessels grow, blood and fluid may leak out into the eye and damage the retinal cells that respond to light. As these cells become damaged and eventually die, the patient notices blind spots in the central vision.

Because the progression of macular degeneration is usually slow, and noticeable symptoms may not occur until the later stages, regular vision exams are the best way to detect the disease. To better serve our patients, Evergreen Eye Center has a retina and macular degeneration specialist, Dr. Linda Day, on our eye care team. While there is currently no cure for this disease, Dr. Day and the other experienced members of our team use the most innovative and advanced technologies to manage the condition and delay any further vision loss.

Evergreen Eye Center offers fluorescein angiography and digital photography of the fundus (the back of the eye), which aids in the diagnosis of the disease and helps us understand its progression over time. If dry macular degeneration does progress to wet macular degeneration, our team can implement a number of effective treatments to stop the abnormal growth of blood vessels. We may recommend treatment with FDA-approved medications such as Macugen®, or a procedure called photodynamic therapy, or PDT. PDT combines photosensitive dye with a low-intensity laser, which precisely treats the damaged areas without harming the adjoining healthy tissue.

Today, there are many specialized treatments available for macular degeneration. Early diagnosis can help you keep your vision longer than ever before. Please contact us today for more information, or to schedule an evaluation with our skilled and knowledgeable retinal specialist, Dr. Linda Day.