Macular degeneration is an optical condition and the primary reason people 60+ years of age experience vision loss. With this condition, the macula, which is the center portion of a person’s retina where the optic nerve is connected, begins to deteriorate over time.
Most people who have this condition don’t experience complete blindness, but they will experience some sort of vision loss that can reduce their quality of life. The majority of people who develop this condition are older, which is why it’s also known as age-related macular degeneration.
There are two main types of macular degeneration: dry and wet forms. Here are the main differences between the two:
This form is characterized by yellow deposits, known as “drusen”, that are present in the macula. Small amounts of drusen are not going to be a problem for most people, but when they start increasing in numbers, people will often experience problems when they are reading or performing other visual tasks.
This form is most notable by the choroid, located underneath the macula, developing an abnormal amount of blood vessels. The abnormal vessels can sometimes bleed and cause scarring to the macula, which will result in vision loss over time.
People with either condition need to be examined regularly and take the necessary precautions to preserve their sight. In some cases, people with macular degeneration will need to be prescribed glasses by their eye doctors to correct their vision problems.
If you haven’t already developed this condition, eating the right foods with the vitamins and nutrients is extremely important. While many older people experience this condition, it’s not guaranteed to develop and many people make it through their entire life without ever dealing with it. However, it’s wise to take preventative measures now so that your risk of developing macular degeneration is minimized.
Gould Vision has provided quality eye care to thousands of patients. With the persistence of our founder and head optometrist, Dr. Adina Gould, our state-of-the-art Miami Beach facility was completed in August 2009. Our centrally-located office also serves the nearby areas of Surfside, Bay Harbor Islands, and South Beach, Florida.