Macular degeneration affects your central vision, leading to difficulty seeing straight ahead. It results from changes in the macula at the retina's center and is most common among people aged 50 or older. While people generally do not lose their central vision entirely, the disease can dramatically impact their lives, making early diagnosis and treatment vital. If you have vision concerns and need an ophthalmologist in the Rapid City area, contact our team at Slingsby & Huot Eye Associates.
Macular Degeneration Risk Factors
Most people with the disease have age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It is more common among Caucasians and those with a family history of the disease. Its earliest onset occurs among women. While individuals cannot alter their age, race, heredity, or gender, addressing other risk factors such as obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, and UV light exposure is critical. Proactively reducing these risk factors is your best chance to avoid macular degeneration.
Dry and Wet Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration has two forms: dry and wet. The dry form affects 90% of those with the disease and occurs when protein deposits form under the macula. The wet form involves abnormal blood vessels developing and leaking under the macula, progressing faster and tending to be more severe.
Macular Degeneration Treatments Explained
The differences between dry and wet macular degeneration lead to different treatments:
Dry Macular Degeneration:
The primary treatment is taking high doses of prescription antioxidants and minerals.
Wet Macular Degeneration:
• Medication: Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) medications stop blood vessel growth in the macula after being injected into the retina.
• Photodynamic Therapy: This involves injecting a light-sensitive drug into the retina, followed by laser therapy to destroy extra blood vessels under the macula. Your eye doctor may use this treatment in combination with anti-VEGF medications.
• Laser Photocoagulation: This procedure seals leaking blood vessels using a laser. It was the first treatment for wet AMD but is now less common than the others.
Call Slingsby & Huot Eye Associates in Magnolia and Aldine, TX
Regular examinations by an eye doctor allow for early detection and treatment of vision issues, including macular degeneration. Early detection and treatment improve your prognosis. To have an ophthalmologist perform a comprehensive eye exam, contact Slingsby & Huot Eye Associates, serving Rapid City and the surrounding communities. Are you looking for an eye doctor near you? Call us today at (605) 719-9499 to schedule an appointment.