Macular degeneration can cause vision loss, but early detection and management can preserve your eyesight. At Legacy Eye Care, with two offices in South Hill and additional locations in Chester and Colonial Heights, Virginia, the dedicated team of experienced optometrists provides muscular degeneration screening, monitoring, and treatment using the most advanced technology. Call the office nearest to you, or book online to schedule your appointment today.

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What is macular degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration is a condition in which central vision declines. This happens because of breakdown and thinning within the macula, the part of your retina that assembles pictures and transmits them to your brain.

Your macula essentially controls your central vision, so when problems develop in this area, it affects your ability to see faces, read, or even perform any close-up visual tasks. Macular degeneration can affect one or both eyes.

What are the types of macular degeneration?

There are two forms of macular degeneration, including:

Dry

Dry macular degeneration is by far the most common form. In most cases, it progresses gradually over the years.

It can be in the early, intermediate, or advanced stages. Once diagnosed, you can slow down the progression and maximize your vision.

Wet

Dry macular degeneration of any stage can become wet macular degeneration, which is always in the late stage. In this type of macular degeneration, unhealthy and highly fragile new blood vessels grow in your eye.

These blood vessels rupture and leak fluid into your eye, leading to macula damage and severe scarring. Wet macular degeneration causes faster vision loss than dry macular degeneration.

Unfortunately, macular degeneration usually causes no symptoms until it’s in the later stages and leads to significant central vision issues. Routine comprehensive eye exams at Legacy Eye Care allow for early diagnosis (even before you experience any symptoms’0.

How is macular degeneration diagnosed?

At Legacy Eye Care, the team uses state-of-the-art equipment to view the back part of your eye, where your retina (and macula) are. This in-depth eye exam helps them to find early changes in your macula, which allows you to take steps to preserve your eyesight.

How is macular degeneration treated?

Unfortunately, there’s no cure for dry macular degeneration at this time. However, some people may improve their vision from a specific combination of natural supplements.

You can take steps to protect your vision and slow down dry macular degeneration, such as using low vision aids, keeping your glasses or contacts up-to-date, and maintaining a nutritious  diet.

Wet macular degeneration can respond well to injected medications that reduce the unhealthy blood vessels and slow the blood vessel leakage in your eye. Or, some people may need laser surgery in which a controlled light beam closes abnormal blood vessels and reduces leakage.

If you need one of these wet macular degeneration treatments, the team refers you to a local ophthalmologist for the procedure, and then you’ll return to Legacy Eye Care for all your follow-up care.

If you need help with macular degeneration, you can find diagnosis and monitoring at Legacy Eye Care by calling or booking online for the nearest office in South Hill, Chester, or Colonial Heights, Virginia.