Ophthalmologists Specializing in Macular Degeneration
If you are looking for eye doctors that specialize in macular degeneration, you’ve come to the right place. Not only will our retinal doctors and low vision specialists provide customized treatment options for every patient, but we will work with you to find solutions which allow you to continue enjoying your daily activities.
Our top-ranked ophthalmologists at Eye Care of La Jolla provide patients with the state-of-the-art care they need to diagnose age-related macular degeneration (or AMD) in its earliest stages, while also providing treatment and care to slow or prevent progression of the disease.
What Is Age-related Macular Degeneration?
Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is a disease that affects the central portion of the retina, which is the back portion of the eye that is very sensitive to light. The macula is where most of the retina’s light-sensing receptors are concentrated, and a healthy macula is essential for having clear central vision. AMD causes the macula to deteriorate over time, initially causing cloudy, dark central vision. Eventually, AMD results in complete loss of central vision.
What Causes Macular Degeneration?
Older age is the primary risk factor for developing age-related macular degeneration. Other risk factors include smoking, family history of AMD, and being of Caucasian race.
What Are the Symptoms of AMD?
The most common symptom is a decrease in central vision, which may begin as blurriness or dimness, and progress over time to dark spots or spaces. AMD can progress very slowly in some people, but in others the disease can occur and progress rapidly, causing loss of vision that cannot be reversed. While AMD does not cause complete blindness, it does interfere with activities like reading, driving, the ability to recognize faces, and other daily activities.
- Wavy or blurred vision
- Visual distortion
- Loss of central vision, with dark or blurry spots in the middle of your vision
- Change in the perceptions of color
- Need for brighter light to see
- Trouble recognizing faces
How is AMD Treated?
While there is no cure for AMD, at Eye Care of La Jolla, we offer multiple treatment options for macular degeneration depending on your unique needs and situation. We encourage you to schedule a dilated eye exam with our macular degeneration specialists. We can then partner together to choose a choose a suitable treatment plan.
Decrease Your Risk for Disease (or Potentially Slow Its Progression) By:
- Quitting smoking
- Keeping your cholesterol levels and blood pressure under control
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Eating a healthy diet that includes green, leafy vegetables, and oily fish
- Being physically active
Some studies indicate certain vitamin supplements may also be beneficial.
Medical Treatment Options
- Laser treatment
- Antiangiogenic drugs like Lucentis and Avastin
- EEYLEA® treatment
- Vitamins (AREDS)
Antiangiogenic Drugs
- Antiangiogenic drugs, like Lucentis and Avastin, work to help shrink existing abnormal or weak blood vessels and prevent the growth of new leaky blood vessels that cause wet macular degeneration.
What Can I Do to Prevent AMD from Occurring?
Knowing and addressing your modifiable risk factors and having regular eye exams to check for problems are the best ways to potentially prevent AMD from developing.
