Macular degeneration is an eye condition that may lead to severe vision problems in adults. Our optometrist at Eye 1st Vision Center in Sandy Springs, GA, are qualified and professional eye doctors that help patients understand this condition and how they can properly treat it. Here are some frequently asked questions related to macular degeneration.
What Causes Macular Degeneration?
Macular degeneration happens when the macula wears down. As a person ages, the macula keeps wearing down until one starts developing vision impairments. Sometimes, it may be associated with genes within a family, putting these people at a higher risk of getting it.
What Is the Macula, and What Role Does It Play in This?
The macula is the central part of the retina that is usually small. The retina is the nerve tissue that senses light at the back of the eyes. Therefore, if the macula wears down, it won’t send as much light to the eyes as it did before.
What Are the Signs or Symptoms of Macular Degeneration?
The major symptoms will be a lack of clear vision or an inability to read fine prints. Sometimes, there may be a different perception of color. In most cases, it may not be detected until macular degeneration reaches advanced stages. Annual eye exams are essential for discovering macular degeneration before symptoms set in.
How Can an Optometrist Identify This Condition?
Our eye doctors at Eye 1st Vision Centre often run tests. They can detect dry macular degeneration by spotting small yellowish debris deposits in the retina when the condition is in its early stages. At an advanced stage, the debris will be medium-sized, while at a more advanced stage, there will be a breakdown of light-sensing photoreceptor cells and surrounding tissue in the macula.
How Can Someone Prevent This Condition?
There are currently no curative methods identified, but there are ways patients can slow down its progression. They include eating a diet rich in essential vitamins, wearing sunglasses to protect against ultraviolet rays, avoiding smoking, exercise, maintaining a good BMI, taking zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin, and antioxidants supplements.
Can Macular Degeneration Cause Blindness?
Macular degeneration can lead to total blindness in very severe cases. That is why you must visit our optometrists regularly so that we can detect such problems early on.
Contact Us for Eye Care from Our Optometrists in Sandy Springs, GA
At Eye 1st Vision Center in Sandy Springs, GA, we recommend that you contact us to book your appointment with our experienced team of eye doctors. Call us or contact us through our website to learn more about how our professionals can preserve your eye and vision health.