Could You Be Suffering from Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

Our Meridian Optometrists Want You To Know About Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Meridian optometrists Dr. Duong and Dr. Dooley diagnose and treat age-related macular degeneration at their optometry clinic, and if you have never heard about this common eye disease, then we invite you to read on to learn more. 

What Is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

As the name implies, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease that causes the gradual thinning and breakdown of the macula and tends to in older people. The macula is the center of your retina (which collects visual images) and contains photoreceptive cells and tissue that are important for reading and other tasks that require fine details. 

AMD has two main causes. With "wet" AMD, small blood vessels grow abnormally on and behind the retina. This leads scarring and damage on the macula. With "dry" AMD, the retina slowly becomes thinner. Often, small yellow particles called "drusen" also grow on the retina, which is believed to increase a person's risk of AMD. Other risk factors for AMD include smoking, poor nutrition, and family history.

How Can I Tell If I Have Age-Related Macular Degeneration? 

AMD often doesn't present with any symptoms, or at least not until the later stages of the disease. One of the hallmark symptoms is blurry vision or "blind spots" in the center of your field of vision, while your peripheral vision generally remains intact. 

AMD is progressive and has no cure yet, but it can be managed well with treatment, especially if caught early. The only way to know for sure if you have AMD is if you have your eyes thoroughly evaluated on a dilated eye exam. Our eye doctors in Meridian rely on advanced technology to improve our diagnostic services. This includes an OCT machine (which stands for optical coherence tomography), which uses specialized light waves to take images of your retina. This allows our Meridian eye doctors to see your retinas, evaluate their health, and if necessary initiate a treatment plan, which may include nutritional counseling and low vision therapy including prescription eyewear. 

Are Your Eyes In Good Health? Schedule An Eye Exam Today With Our One Of Our Meridian Optometrists

As you and your loved one's age, it is important to keep an eye on the future. Our Meridian optometrists offer a wide variety of comprehensive eye care services to help you and your family members maintain optimal vision at every stage of life. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Duong or Dr. Dooley, or to ask a question about age-related macular degeneration, call Primary Eyecare & Optical of Meridian today at 601-485-2020.