What is Macular Degeneration?
Macular degeneration usually affects people over the age of 50 and has no cure although treatment is available. It is an age-related wearing out of the central retina - a light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye essential for detailed vision. Degeneration of the macula affects central vision and makes it difficult to carry out day to day tasks.
Causes of Aged Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Genetics, smoking, sunlight exposure, nutrition and age all play a role.
Symptoms of AMD
In the early stages there are usually no symptoms but as AMD progresses you will experience:
​
-
Loss of central vision.
-
Difficulty reading or performing tasks that require the ability to see detail
-
Distorted vision (Straight lines such as a doorway or the edge of a window may appear wavy or bent)
What happens if AMD is left untreated?
Progression to total blindness is rare although you will suffer from significant disability due to poor or lost central vision.
Treatment
We use optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography for diagnosis. We use intravitreal injections, lasers and Visudyne therapy for treatment.
​