Macular Degeneration

Blurred vision and visual distortions are telltale signs of macular degeneration, a progressive eye disease that significantly affects vision without proper treatment. At Stratus Eye in Suwanee, Georgia, board-certified ophthalmologist Jeffrey Tran, MD, diagnoses and treats macular degeneration to preserve your vision and eye health. Call the ophthalmology clinic today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about macular degeneration.

What is macular degeneration?

Macular degeneration is a progressive eye disease that diminishes your central vision and impairs your ability to see fine details. The macula is a small part of the retina responsible for controlling central vision. If this small center degrades, details in front of you can become blurry or hazy. 

Macular degeneration can even lead to partial vision loss without treatment. Understanding the early warning signs and risk factors is critical to protect against this age-related condition.

What are the symptoms of macular degeneration?

The signs of macular degeneration may be subtle at first, but the condition usually progresses. Common signs of macular degeneration typically include:

• Blurry vision
• Dark spots in the center of your vision
• Difficulty recognizing faces
• Problems identifying fine details

As the condition advances, straight lines may also appear wavy or crooked within your central vision.

What causes macular degeneration?

There are two types of macular degeneration that can result from different causes:

Dry macular degeneration

The most common type, dry macular degeneration, occurs when the light-sensitive cells inside the macula slowly deteriorate. Symptoms are usually gradual and vision impairment develops at a slow rate.

Wet macular degeneration

While less common, wet macular degeneration typically causes more severe and abrupt vision loss than its dry counterpart. The condition develops when new abnormal blood vessels begin growing below the retina.

Many factors can increase your risk of macular degeneration, such as:

• Age (being 50 or older)
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Tobacco use
• A sedentary lifestyle
• Poor diet

If you have macular degeneration, Dr. Tran can create a personalized management plan that minimizes your symptoms and reduces complications.

What are the treatments for macular degeneration?

Macular degeneration treatment depends on the type you have. While there is no cure for dry macular degeneration, laser therapy can help manage wet macular degeneration.

Dr. Tran performs a comprehensive management plan to relieve your symptoms and reduce your risk of vision loss. Treatments for macular degeneration typically include:

• Nutritional supplements
• Diet changes
• Exercise
• Regular eye exams
• Medication

Call Stratus Eye today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about macular degeneration.