Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in people age 50 and older. With AMD, you lose your central vision, but in most cases, still maintain your peripheral vision. For example, if you have AMD and look at a clock, you’ll see only the clock’s numbers and not its hands. The condition can make reading, driving, and other daily activities extremely difficult.
There are two types of AMD – dry AMD, in which the macula of the retina gets thinner with age, and wet AMD, a less-common and faster-progressing condition when abnormal blood vessels grow in the back of the eye.
AMD is a progressive disease, and in its early stages, symptoms are mild. If you experience any of the following issues, contact Envision Ophthalmology & Wellness in Cleveland to schedule a consultation with retinal specialist, Dr. E. Shanika Esparaz:
Since AMD is age-related, there’s nothing you can do to fully prevent the disease, but there are number of lifestyle changes you can make to lower your risk, including eating a diet rich in greens, quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy blood pressure and weight, and getting regular eye exams.
Catching AMD early is crucial to protecting your eyesight. Unfortunately, there is no treatment to cure AMD – however, there are steps your ophthalmologist can take to help stop the disease from advancing.
Putting healthy habits into action can help keep symptoms in check. Dr. Esparaz will work with you to create a custom wellness plan.
The primary treatment for AMD are in-eye injections of anti-VEGF medications. High levels of VEGF, or vascular endothelial growth factor, form abnormal blood vessels that cause leaks within the retina. Patients with wet AMD may require multiple injections to reduce damage to the eye and restore some visual acuity.
When it comes to AMD, there’s no time to wait to undergo the treatment needed to slow the disease. Contact Envision Ophthalmology & Wellness to be seen by Dr. Esparaz and her dedicated team.
