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The retina is the nerve layer in the back of the eye where images form, much like the film in your camera. The macula is a very small area in the center of the retina. Although only the size of a pinhead, the macula is responsible for producing our clearest, most detailed vision. The macula controls vision in our central field of vision, the area you would see if you looked through a drinking straw. If the macula is damaged, central vision is reduced or even lost, but peripheral, or side, vision in unaffected.
What is macular degeneration?
Macular degeneration is a slowly progressive disease that causes a reduction in central vision. In the early stages of the disease, the effect on vision may be minimal or unnoticeable. As the disease progresses, fine detail becomes more difficult to see, especially when reading small print. Vision may also appear distorted or parts of an object may appear to be missing. There is no pain associated with macular degeneration.
There are two forms of macular degeneration: dry and wet. In the dry form, changes in the pigment layer supporting the retina lead to damage in the retina itself. The vision loss from dry macular degeneration is generally very slow but may in time become very severe. In the wet form, blood vessels under the retina leak fluid, causing a large scar to develop. This can result in severe vision loss. No one is completely sure what causes macular degeneration. Heredity, the environment, age and general health may all be factors. Recent studies indicate that green, leafy vegetables are protective and help prevent macular degeneration. Smoking greatly increases the risk of vision loss.
Treating macular degeneration
At this time, there is no cure for macular degeneration, but Dr. Philip Y. Paden at Paden Eye Care Center in Medford, OR offers several solutions to help slow down the progression of the disease. First, Dr. Paden will recommend various lifestyle changes, including smoking cessation, eating dark-green leafy vegetables and taking specific vitamins and supplements. Next, Dr. Paden offers intravitreal injection therapy for patients with the wet form of macular degeneration. This is an outpatient procedure that can stop abnormal blood vessel growth and hemorrhage.
Lowering the risk of vision loss
Early detection of macular degeneration through routine eye examinations is the first step in lowering the risk of vision loss. The progression of macular degeneration in each individual patient is highly variable. Even in the most advanced cases, macular degeneration does not lead to total blindness. The central area of vision may be significantly decreased, but peripheral, or side, vision usually remains clear.
For more information on macular degeneration, please visit our Patient Education Library or call Paden Eye Care Center today at (541) 776-9026. To request an Appointment Online please click here.
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