Macular degeneration is caused by a process of wear and tear in the macula, which is the central part of the retina at the back of the eye. This distortion can lead to absolute loss of central vision. However, macular degeneration rarely leads to total blindness as your side or peripheral vision is generally unaffected.

Age related macular degeneration (AMD) has two forms, wet and dry.

Dry form is a gradual loss of the photoreceptors (cells in the retina that help us see) with gradual deterioration in vision. This is a more common form of AMD. The dry form of AMD can convert to the wet form.

In the wet form a vessel from the vascular layer beneath the retina grows through cracks that have developed in the supporting membrane of the retina (inner layer of the back of the eye). These vessels often grow quickly and are fragile and can cause a leakage, resulting in swelling and bruising of the overlying retina. Treatment is now available which will prevent the growth of these vessels and stop them leaking.

Treatments for macular degeneration depend on what stage the disease is in – dry form or wet form.

There is currently no cure for age-related macular degeneration, but some treatments may delay its progression or improve vision. In the earlier stages of dry form, nutritional intervention may help prevent its progression to the wet form.

If you are worried about macular degeneration or have a family history of it, please consult your doctor or contact us today for more information.

COVID UPDATE:

Don’t defer essential eye appointments during lockdown. Important information about COVID and your eye injection can be found at the Macular Disease Foundation

We are a COVID Safe practice and follow all the Health Regulations during lockdown and will look after you when you come for your eye injections. Please don’t let your fears of COVID risk your eyesight, most vision lost happens without pain or warning and can only be monitored by your eye specialists.