The compassionate team at Kennedy Vision Health Center is here to provide the in-depth care you need to slow the progression of macular degeneration and preserve your sight.
Macular Degeneration Management
What is macular degeneration?
Macular degeneration, also known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is an eye disease that slowly degrades your central vision over time. This disease is caused by damage sustained by your macula, an important structure in the back of your eye. There is no cure for macular degeneration, so regular comprehensive eye exams are important for spotting AMD early, as they allow your doctor to create a detailed plan of action for the disease.
Signs & Progression of Macular Degeneration
During your routine eye exams, we’ll ask if you’re experiencing any vision related symptoms, learn about your lifestyle and health history, and assess any risk factors for AMD. Then, we’ll thoroughly inspect your inner eye and macula using our advanced technology to gather all the information we need to diagnose and monitor your macular degeneration.
Signs of Macular Degeneration
During the early stages of its development, you may not notice any signs of AMD, which is why regular eye exams are so important. As the disease advances, you may experience blurry vision, blind spots in the center of your visual field, and distortion that makes straight lines appear wavy.
Types of Macular Degeneration
There are two types of macular degeneration: dry (atrophic) and wet (neovascular or exudative), and both can threaten your vision. With dry AMD, fat clusters called drusen build up under the macula and cause it to start thinning, which leads to vision loss. Wet AMD occurs when blood vessels develop abnormally under the macula, causing fluid to leak into the retina.
Risks of Macular Degeneration
While AMD can affect anyone as they age, there are several risk factors that can increase your chance of developing it. If you have a history of smoking, a diet that’s high in sugars and saturated fats, or certain health conditions like heart disease or high blood pressure, you may be at a higher risk for AMD. Always be sure to talk to your family and find out your medical history. This can be an imperative step in taking preventative measures for your eye health if it runs in the family.
Why choose Kennedy Vision Health Center for macular degeneration management?
Our experienced, passionate staff and family-centered approach to eye care is what sets Kennedy Vision Health Center apart from other practices. To diagnose your AMD more precisely, we’ve invested in the latest technology, like the Macular Pigment Optical Density test, which is one of the best ways to test for risk factors of AMD. Our diagnostics equipment allows us to thoroughly check your eyes for conditions like macular degeneration and helps us improve the comfort of your care.
