Macular Degeneration Archives

Macular degeneration affects the area of the retina responsible for detailed, forward-facing vision. Many people don’t realize anything is wrong until vision problems begin interfering with daily routines. Knowing what early changes can look like helps patients know when to bring concerns up during an eye exam.

Needing More Effort To See Clearly

One of the first signs of macular degeneration in Elkridge, MD is that vision requires more concentration than it used to. Reading, using a phone, or working on a computer may feel more tiring, even though the text is still readable. Vision may fluctuate throughout the day, feeling sharper at times and softer at others.

Subtle Loss Of Central Detail

Central vision may start to lose sharpness without becoming fully blurry. Fine details can seem less defined, especially when focusing straight ahead. Peripheral vision usually remains unchanged, which can make this symptom harder to notice.

Straight Lines No Longer Looking Straight

Lines that should appear straight may start to look slightly uneven or warped. This can show up when reading lines of text, looking at tile floors, or noticing the edges of buildings. Even mild distortion is important to mention during an eye exam.

Changes When Moving Between Light Levels

Vision may take longer to adjust when lighting changes. Stepping into a darker room or moving into bright sunlight can cause temporary difficulty seeing clearly. This delay may happen more often and last longer than expected.

Colors Appearing Slightly Duller

Some people notice that colors don’t appear as vivid as they once did. Differentiating between similar shades may require more effort, particularly in lower lighting. Because the change is gradual, it’s often noticed only in hindsight.

Increased Difficulty With Night Tasks

Driving at night or seeing clearly in low-light settings may become more challenging. Headlights may seem harsher, and details may be harder to pick out, even when vision feels normal during the day.

Routine eye exams allow optometrists to detect small changes, monitor vision over time, and identify concerns before they significantly affect daily life. Anyone noticing ongoing or unusual vision changes should schedule a comprehensive eye exam with your optometrist in Elkridge, MD to determine the cause and discuss appropriate next steps.

Has your eye doctor in Elkridge, MD, told you that you have macular degeneration? If so, you probably want to know everything about it so you know what to expect.

What Is Macular Degeneration?

Macular degeneration is usually referred to as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), but they are both the same thing. AMD is an eye disease that damages the central part of your eye.

AMD will gradually cause you to lose your sharp central vision, making it hard to clearly see things in front of you and perform daily activities like driving and reading. Unfortunately, AMD is the leading cause of vision loss in older people. Macular degeneration might only affect one of your eyes, or it could affect both of your eyes in varying levels of severity. However, people rarely go blind from AMD.

What Causes Macular Degeneration?

The causes of macular degeneration are unknown. However, there are several risk factors that are thought to contribute to this condition.

Age (this is the most common)
Smoking
Poor diet
Family history
Race (more common in white people)
Cardiovascular disease
Regular use of antacids
Vitamin D deficiency
High blood pressure

The Symptoms of Macular Degeneration

The symptoms of macular degeneration include diabetes, infections, head injuries, and a poor diet lacking the nutrients your body needs.

The Two Kinds of Macular Degeneration

Dry Macular Degeneration

Dry macular degeneration is the most prevalent. About 90% of people have this form. Dry macular degeneration is when small built-up protein deposits under your macula dry out and cause it to thin.

Wet Macular Degeneration

Wet macular degeneration happens when abnormal blood vessels form under your retina and macula. Those blood vessels ooze fluid and blood. This causes you to see dark spots in the center of your vision. This is the most severe type. It often happens quickly and can result in the total loss of your central vision.

How Is Macular Degeneration Treated?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for macular degeneration. However, the condition can be managed with nutritional supplements, photodynamic therapy, medications, and laser therapy. Your eye doctor can help you with a customized plan and macular degeneration treatments in Elkridge, MD.

Are You Looking for a Reputable Eye Doctor in Elkridge, MD?

If you have AMD and need an eye doctor in Elkridge, MD, or any of the surrounding areas, please Contact Dr. Jan Eye Care today. We specialize in macular degeneration treatments and have state-of-the-art equipment and technology to cater to your specific needs. So, reach out to schedule an exam and we will do everything in our power to provide a comfortable and relaxing experience.

Early Signs of Macular Degeneration