What is Macular Degeneration?  

/in /by

One of the leading causes of vision loss around the world is macular degeneration. Approximately 11 million Americans today suffer from macular degeneration, but by 2050, that figure is anticipated to rise to more than 22 million. Macular degeneration, also known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is the most common cause of visual loss in persons 60 years of age and older. See your ophthalmologist in Wilmington, NC to be screened for macular degeneration.

What is the Macula?

Macular degeneration refers to the degeneration of a part of the eye called the macula. The macula cannot be seen from the outside. It’s located at the back of the eye and is regarded as a component of the retina. The macula’s primary role is central vision. It is also responsible for most of our ability to detect color.

Risk Factors For Macular Degeneration

There are risk factors that make macular degeneration more likely. These are:

  • General Poor Health
  • Being Overweight
  • Smoking
  • Genetic History of Macular Degeneration
  • Alcohol Abuse

Different Types of Macular Degeneration

Wet macular degeneration and dry macular degeneration are the two primary manifestations of macular degeneration.

Wet macular degeneration is often considered to be the late stage of dry macular degeneration. At this late stage, the progressive loss of vision is significantly accelerated.

There are three stages of dry macular degeneration: early, middle, and late. If dry macular degeneration is not identified and treated right away, it might progress and become wet macular degeneration.

Diagnosing Macular Degeneration

An ordinary eye exam is one of the main methods for diagnosing AMD. With the aid of prescription eye drops, your eye doctor will enlarge the pupils. This enables a better field of vision inside the eye. Your eye doctor will look for telltale symptoms of tiny, yellow deposits beneath the retina known as drusen as well as other signs of macular degeneration.

Your eye doctor has several other tools and tests available to determine the level of macular degeneration, as well.

Macular degeneration steals vision. The earlier it is diagnosed, the better the outcome. If you are experiencing signs of vision loss, or are concerned about the possibility of macular degeneration in Wilmington, NC, contact Paul Vision Institute.