Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is a disease which affects a small area of the retina known as the macula. The macula is the central area of the retina that allows us to see the fine detail of whatever we look at directly. Macular degeneration occurs when the macula is damaged.

“Wet” VS. “Dry”

Most often, macular degeneration is accompanied by the formation of yellow deposits called “drusen” under the macula, which dry out or thin the macula. This is called “dry” macular degeneration. In less common cases, abnormal blood vessels develop under the macula and leak fluid. This is called “wet” macular degeneration.

Causes

A number of uncontrollable factors contribute to macular degeneration, including age, sex, eye color, farsightedness, and race. Risk factors you can control include smoking, high blood pressure, exposure to harmful sunlight, and diet. Every year millions of dollars of research are spent on studying how to best treat and/or prevent macular degeneration. This research is undated almost continuously. Oklahoma Eye Institute is committed to staying current with these studies so that we may best serve you with the latest information and treatments.

Symptoms

It is difficult for patients to detect dry macular degeneration in its early stages. The most common symptom is blurred vision. Wet macular degeneration progresses much faster when it occurs. Symptoms include blurred vision and distortion or a dark spot in central vision. Both forms of macular degeneration can cause severe visual impairment.

Treatment

Currently, there is no cure for macular degeneration. For patients with moderate to severe macular degeneration, a diet including antioxidants, smoking cessation, UV protection, and AREDs eye vitamins is recommended. Oklahoma Eye Institute proudly offers Tozal AREDs vitamins.

Wet Macular degeneration is treatable with an injection that decreases swelling at the macula.This injection is most often done by a retinal specialist.Oklahoma Eye Institute has teamed with Retinal Vitreous Center of Oklahoma to bring a retina specialist in to Western Oklahoma on a monthly basis.

Oklahoma Eye Institute offers the latest in imaging technology to be diagnose and manage macular degeneration.

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