Age-related
Macular Degeneration
Fulton, MO
Age-related Macular Degeneration
Macular Degeneration Eye Exams in Fulton, MO
Our eye doctor at VisionArts Eyecare Center specializes in diagnosing age-related macular degeneration in its earliest stages, often before symptoms or vision loss occur. This condition is the leading cause of vision loss in adults over 50. While there isn’t a cure for age-related macular degeneration, early detection and treatment can help minimize or even prevent vision loss.
What is age-related macular degeneration?
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that affects the central part of your retina, also known as the macula. The macula is responsible for our sharp, central vision, allowing you to recognize faces, read books, and perform other everyday tasks. As AMD progresses, you may start to notice blurry or distorted vision, especially in the center of your vision, have trouble recognizing faces or details, or gradually lose your color perception.
Types of age-related macular degeneration
The two types of age-related macular degeneration are dry and wet. Depending on the type, the disease can progress gradually over years or develop rapidly.
- Dry AMD is the more common of the two and occurs when the light-sensitive cells in the macula slowly break down over time. While there isn’t a cure for dry AMD, there are treatments that can help slow its progression and manage its symptoms.
- Wet AMD is less common than the dry type but more serious. Any stage of dry AMD can develop into wet AMD, but wet AMD is always late stage. Wet AMD happens when abnormal blood vessels grow behind the retina and leak fluid or blood into the macula.
Diagnosing age-related macular degeneration
AMD can lead to vision loss if left untreated, which is why early detection is key. Our eye doctor uses the latest diagnostic technology to diagnose AMD in its early stages:
MPOD nutrient scan
The macular pigment optical density (MPOD) nutrient scan is a painless test that checks the antioxidant levels in your eyes. Antioxidants protect your eyes from damage caused by free radicals and oxidative stress. By measuring your MPOD levels, our eye doctor can determine your risk for developing macular degeneration and recommend dietary supplements to boost your antioxidant levels.
Dark adaption
Virtual reality testing allows our eye doctor to evaluate dark adaptation—how well your eyes adjust to low-light settings. This innovative technology uses virtual reality to simulate real-world situations and measure how quickly your eyes adapt to different lighting conditions. By testing your dark adaptation, our eye doctor can detect early signs of macular degeneration before you even notice symptoms.
Treatment for age-related macular degeneration
If you have dry AMD, there are currently no treatments available to reverse the damage. However, research shows that taking certain nutritional supplements can help slow the progression of the disease and lower your risk of developing more advanced forms of AMD. Our eye doctor can recommend which supplements are right for you based on your specific needs and medical history.
With wet AMD, symptoms can appear suddenly and worsen quickly. Fortunately, treatments such as photodynamic therapy, laser surgery, and anti-VEGF injections can help prevent vision loss. Our experienced eye doctor at VisionArts Eyecare Center can assess your visual and eye health needs and recommend the best treatment for your specific case.
Schedule an eye exam for macular degeneration in Fulton
People of all ages should get regular comprehensive eye exams, especially if they are at high risk of developing AMD. If it’s been a while since your last eye exam, schedule an appointment at VisionArts Eyecare Center in Fulton, MO. We provide comprehensive eye exams that can help detect a variety of eye diseases and issues, including AMD.