Macular Degeneration Treatment Near You

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of a group of eye conditions that can cause vision loss if not detected and treated early. Our Missouri AMD specialists can screen for even early signs of this disease during a comprehensive eye exam and if needed, begin treatment before it has a chance to progress.

What Is Macular Degeneration?

Lining the back of the eye, the retina turns what we see into something the brain can understand. At the center of the retina is the macula, which is responsible for our central vision. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition where the macula breaks down over time, leading to vision loss.

Types of AMD & Their Symptoms

AMD occurs in two distinct forms: “dry” AMD and “wet” AMD.

  • Dry AMD is much more common. Over time, the macula thins and breaks down. Even before central vision loss occurs, dry AMD may cause visual distortion, blurriness, poor night vision, and difficulty reading or recognizing faces.
  • Wet AMD is rarer but develops faster. Abnormal blood vessels under the macula leak fluid and press on the macula, causing damage. This can quickly lead to spots in the central vision, distortion like wavy lines as the macula bulges, blurriness, and a rapid loss of vision.

Causes & Prevention

No exact cause of AMD is known, but there are clear risk factors that make someone more likely to develop the condition, including:

  • Being over 55 years old
  • Being Caucasian
  • Smoking
  • Certain medications
  • Being overweight
  • Lack of exercise
  • Poor diet
  • Too much sun or UV exposure
  • Having a family history of AMD

Too much sun or UV exposure
Having a family history of AMD
Quitting smoking, living healthy, and protecting your eyes can do a great deal to prevent AMD, but there is no true way to ensure that macular degeneration doesn’t develop. That’s why it’s critical to see our macular degeneration specialists, who can diagnose and manage AMD before vision loss occurs.

AMD Evaluation and Treatment
in Missouri

Our macular degeneration doctors have a suite of diagnostic tech to examine your macula and other structures of the retina. For example, dry AMD is associated with the formation of “drusen,” yellowish deposits that appear under the retina.

There aren’t concrete treatments for stopping or curing dry AMD, but there is evidence that supplements containing a mix of vitamins and antioxidants can help. There are also vision aids that can significantly lower the impact of AMD on your quality of life that we can help you use.

Wet AMD can be more directly managed with medical injections and some laser therapies. These halt the development of problematic blood vessels and remove existing abnormal vessels.

Experienced Macular Degeneration Specialists at Eyecare Specialties

AMD can rob you of your central vision, but it doesn’t have to. Our macular degeneration specialists can detect the very first signs of AMD to create a treatment plan that can slow, or even halt, the progression of this debilitating disease. Our caring macular degeneration doctors will help you understand your eye health and protect your vision for years to come.

If you have any concerns about AMD, schedule an appointment online at Eyecare Specialties today.

To find out whether you have cataracts before they affect your quality of life, schedule an appointment online at Eyecare Specialties today!

When it comes to your eyes, you should accept no substitute: schedule an appointment at Eyecare Specialties for macular degeneration experts who can do the most to safeguard your vision.