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Macular Degeneration services offered in Fairfax, VA
Age-related macular degeneration is responsible for nearly 9% of blindness worldwide, and about 20 million adults in the United States have this common eye disease. At Fairfax Cataract and Retina in Fairfax, Virginia, board-certified ophthalmologist Mehrine Shaikh, MD, diagnoses and treats macular degeneration to improve your eye health and lessen the risk of blindness. Schedule an eye exam with Dr. Shaikh by calling the office or using the online booking feature today.
What is macular degeneration?
Macular degeneration is typically an age-related retinal condition. It can cause loss of central vision, but you aren’t likely to be fully blind because of macular degeneration. Wet and dry forms of macular degeneration affect the macula, part of your retina in the back of the eye. While there’s no cure, treatment can prevent worsening vision problems.
What are the different types of macular degeneration?
The two forms of macular degeneration are:
Wet macular degeneration
Wet macular degeneration develops due to abnormal blood vessel development under the macula. The vessels leak fluid and blood, forming a bulge in the macula and vision irregularities. About 10% of people with macular degeneration have this wet form, which is more severe and can lead to rapid central vision loss.
Dry macular degeneration
Approximately 90% of people with macular degeneration have this dry form that develops when tiny protein deposits form under the macula, drying and thinning it. Vision loss often occurs gradually over time when left untreated.
What are the symptoms of macular degeneration?
People with macular degeneration may experience the following symptoms:
- Loss of central vision
- Normal peripheral vision
- Vision impairment in one or both eyes
- Blurry vision
- Wavy vision
- Reduced ability to see in low light
- Diminished ability to see colors
- Low vision
- Seeing straight lines as curvy
- Dark spots in their vision
Visit Fairfax Cataract and Retina at the first sign of new or worsening vision changes.
What are the risk factors for macular degeneration?
Macular degeneration risk factors include:
- Being over 50
- Smoking
- Family history of macular degeneration
- Carrying excess body weight
- Diet high in saturated fat
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Infections
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Head injury
About 20 million people in the United States have macular degeneration, which is a leading cause of blindness in people aged 60 and over.
How is macular degeneration diagnosed?
Diagnosing macular degeneration at Fairfax Cataract and Retina involves a comprehensive eye exam with Dr. Shaikh. She checks your retina for changes, completes a vision screening, and may suggest various diagnostic tests, such as an Amsler grid test and eye imaging procedures. An example is fluorescein angiography, which uses dye to better capture images of eye vessels.
How is macular degeneration treated?
Treating macular degeneration may consist of:
- Nutritional supplements
- Medications
- Laser therapy
- Photodynamic therapy
- Healthy lifestyle changes
- Anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) injections for wet macular degeneration
You might take vitamin and mineral supplements to slow the progression of dry macular degeneration.
It’s also vital to avoid smoking, maintain an ideal body weight, stay physically active, eat nutritious foods, and maintain healthy cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
Schedule a macular degeneration evaluation at Fairfax Cataract and Retina by phone or request one online today.