Would you like to switch to the accessible version of this site?

Go to accessible site Close modal window

Don't need the accessible version of this site?

Hide the accessibility button Close modal window
Accessibility View Close toolbar
Victoria Family Eyecare

6380 N. Navarro

Victoria, TX 77904 US

(361) 570-2010

Open mobile navigation
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Meet the Doctor
  • Patient Center
    • Online Forms
  • Eyecare Services
    • Contact Lens Exams
    • Eye & Vision Exams
    • Lasik Eye Surgery
  • Frame Selection
  • Products
    • Contacts
    • Frames
    • Latisse
  • Payment Options
  • Contact Us
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Community Content
    • Common Eye Conditions
      • Age-Related
      • Cognitive and Acquired
      • Vision Impairment
      • Injury & Irritation
      • Eye Lids
      • Changes in Appearance
    • Contact Lenses
    • Eye Diseases
    • Eyeglasses
      • Eyeglass Lenses
    • Eye Symptoms
    • How the Eyes Work
      • Basic Visual Skills
    • Pediatric Vision
    • Protecting Your Eyes
    • Visual Rehabilitation
    • Vision Problems
    • What is Vision Therapy
    • Vision Therapy Programs
    • We Can Help With
      • Cataracts
      • Corneal Disorders
        • Disorders
      • Glaucoma
      • Refractive Disorders
      • Adult Strabismus
      • Retinal Disorders
    • Newsletters
      • Glasses & Frames
      • Contacts
      • Tips for Healthy Eyes
      • Conditions That Affect Vision
      • Kid's Vision
      • Amazing, Interesting Eyes
      • Medical Perspectives
  • Promotions
  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Newsletters >
  • Signs You May Have Macular Degeneration

Signs You May Have Macular Degeneration

  • Created in Newsletters

Man receiving eye exam

Signs You May Have Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration can cause changes that affect your central vision. This age-related eye disease is one of the most common reasons why people experience vision loss, according to the National Eye Institute. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can help you get the care you need to slow the progression of the disease and maximize your vision.

What Is Macular Degeneration?

The macula occupies the center part of the retina, a layer of light-sensing cells at the back of your eye. The cornea (the clear tissue covering your iris and pupil) and the lens inside your eye focus light onto your retina. Once light reaches the retina, it is transformed into electrical impulses. The impulses travel along the optic nerve to the brain where they're converted into images.

Macular degeneration occurs when the cells in the macula become damaged. When macular cells are damaged, the brain receives incomplete information from the eyes. As a result, you may notice changes in your vision. AMD can affect just one eye or both of your eyes.

Although anyone can develop AMD, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) notes that your risk may increase if:

  • You're 50 or older
  • Other people in your family have or had AMD
  • You're overweight
  • You have high blood pressure
  • You eat foods that contain saturated fats
  • You smoke

Macular Degeneration Signs and Symptoms

You may have one of these two forms of macular degeneration:

  • Dry. Most people have the "dry" form of macular degeneration. In this form, the cells in the macula gradually become thinner and die.
  • Wet. Wet AMD happens when abnormal blood vessels begin to grow in the macula. These blood vessels often leak, interfering with vision and creating scars. Dry AMD can turn into the wet form in some cases.

If you have AMD, you may experience these signs and symptoms:

  • Blurred Vision. Blurry central vision can be a sign of AMD.
  • Dull Colors. Do colors look dull or faded? That's not surprising since your macula is responsible for good color vision. If macular cells are damaged or die, colors won't look as rich and vibrant.
  • Wavy Lines. AMD distorts straight edges and lines, making them look wavy.
  • Blind Spot. Eventually, you may notice a blind spot in your central vision. As central vision is essential for reading, driving and recognizing faces, a blind spot can have a serious impact on your life.
  • Trouble Seeing in Low Light. AMD may make it difficult to read or see in low light or adjust quickly when walking from a dark room to a light room.

During your visit to the eye doctor, your eyes will be dilated so that any drusen that may have formed can be detected. Drusen are yellow, fatty deposits that form under the macula. If you have drusen, you may already have dry AMD or may be more likely to develop the eye disease.

Treatments for AMD

Eye doctors treat wet AMD with injections or laser treatments that slow leaks and decrease the number of abnormal blood vessels in your macula.

Although there is no treatment for dry AMD now, taking AREDS supplements may help slow the progression of AMD, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The supplements contain lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc, copper, and vitamins C and E. Wearing sunglasses that protect your eyes from ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays can also be helpful, as can eating a healthy diet and avoiding smoking.

Scientists are hard at work looking for treatments for the dry form of AMD. According to Bright Focus Foundation, researchers are exploring a possible immune system link to AMD, investigating an implant that slowly releases a protective medication, researching eye drops that improve blood flow to the retina, and conducting several other AMD studies.

If you have already experienced vision loss due to AMD, your optometrist can recommend low-vision aids, like magnifiers, telescopes, special eyeglass lenses, and large-print books and products.

Sources:

National Eye Institute: Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Data and Statistics, 7/17/2019

Bright Focus Foundation: The Latest Research on Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration, 7/9/2021

All About Vision: What Is Macular Degeneration?, 3/2022

American Academy of Ophthalmology: What Is Macular Degeneration?, 2/10/2022

  • Common Eye Conditions
    • Age-Related
    • Cognitive and Acquired
    • Vision Impairment
    • Injury & Irritation
    • Eye Lids
    • Changes in Appearance
  • Contact Lenses
  • Eye Diseases
  • Eyeglasses
    • Eyeglass Lenses
  • Eye Symptoms
  • How the Eyes Work
    • Basic Visual Skills
  • Pediatric Vision
  • Protecting Your Eyes
  • Visual Rehabilitation
  • Vision Problems
  • What is Vision Therapy
  • Vision Therapy Programs
  • We Can Help With
    • Cataracts
    • Corneal Disorders
      • Disorders
    • Glaucoma
    • Refractive Disorders
    • Adult Strabismus
    • Retinal Disorders
  • Newsletters
    • Glasses & Frames
    • Contacts
    • Tips for Healthy Eyes
    • Conditions That Affect Vision
    • Kid's Vision
    • Amazing, Interesting Eyes
    • Medical Perspectives

Contact Us

We look forward to hearing from you.

  • Our Services

    We strive to provide complete care for our patients/ learn more about all the services we provide.
    Learn More
  • Schedule Online

    We will do our best to accommodate your busy schedule. Schedule an appointment today!
  • Promotions

    CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL

Hours of Operation

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

10:00am

6:00pm

Tuesday:

9:00am

5:00pm

Wednesday:

10:00am

6:00pm

Thursday:

9:00am

5:00pm

Friday:

9:00am

5:00pm

Saturday:

Closed

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Closed

No testimonials settings found. Please configure it

    October Newsletter: The Advantages of Prescription Sunglasses

    Could prescription sunglasses help you see better on bright day? ...

    Read More

    October Newsletter: What Are Ocular Migraines and How Can They Be Prevented?

    Seeing stars or flashing lights? An ocular migraine could be to blame. ...

    Read More

    Stress and Vision

    Did you know that your eyes are an extension of your brain? There are six muscles connected to each eye, and they receive signals from the brain. These signals direct the eyes movements and, thus, control their ability to focus. When you are stressed, your brain goes through a number of changes and signals ...

    Read More

    Pain Management

    We take a lot of aspects of our vision for granted. We expect to see nearby and faraway objects clearly, even if we require our eye care provider to prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses to do so. A huge degree of the information we take in about our world and our surroundings takes place visually, ...

    Read More

    Nutrition for Eye Health

    Eating right is essential for keeping your body healthy. This is as true for your eyes as it is for your heart. A diet that is rich in fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and is low in saturated fat, can reduce your risk of heart disease. This will also keep your arteries healthy, so they can ...

    Read More

    Lifestyle Practices for Eye Health

    Protecting your eyesight is an important part of staying healthy overall. Maintaining sound eye health will also help you preserve your quality of life as you age. To keep your eyes as healthy as possible, follow these simple lifestyle practices. Get regular eye exams. Some eye problems — including ...

    Read More

    Glare and Halos

    Glare and halos are both eye symptoms that some people experience around bright lights. Halos show up as bright circles around a light source. Glare is light that interferes with your vision, making it difficult to see or sometimes making your eyes water. These symptoms can show up at any time of the ...

    Read More

    UV Radiation and Your Eyes

    Optometry warnings about the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation on our eyes have not yet reached the degree of public awareness of that of skin damage. Yet, the sun can be just as damaging upon our eyes with unprotected exposure. Short-term exposure to very bright sunlight can result in a type ...

    Read More

    Lazy Eye

    Lazy eye, also referred to as amblyopia, is a condition that develops in infancy or early childhood, and it typically starts when the focus in one eye is more enhanced than the other. The eye with less focus might be impaired due to a significant amount of farsightedness or astigmatism, or something ...

    Read More

    Pediatric Ophthalmology

    Ophthalmology addresses the physiology, anatomy and diseases of the eyes. Pediatric ophthalmology focuses on the eyes of children. Pediatric ophthalmologists examine children’s eyes to see if they need corrective lenses or other treatments to improve their vision. Training for Pediatric Ophthalmologists Pediatric ...

    Read More
No form settings found. Please configure it.
  • Copyright © 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix.
  • Admin Log In
  • Site Map