Everything You Need To Know About Wet Macular Degeneration
The eyes are an integral part of the body. They are organs of our visual system that provide us with vision, the ability to receive and process visual details and improve brain focus. However, the eyes, like every other part of the body, are subjected to wear and tear due to consistent use. A lot of things can go wrong with the eyes which makes them unable to perform their functions as expected. Some of these things are due to accidents, improper care or advancement in age. An example of conditions that reduces the efficiency of the eyes’ function is wet age-related macular degeneration.
Wet age-related macular degeneration, also known as wet AMD, is a form of chronic eye disorder that causes blurred vision or a blind spot in your visual field. This condition can start suddenly and it is so painless that the only way you would know is your deficient eyesight. Wet macular degeneration may start with blurred or distorted vision. The blurred vision could include a blind spot coloured grey, red or black in the centre of your field of vision.
Symptoms Of Wet Macular Degeneration
Since wet macular degeneration is pretty painless and other eye defects can mess up your eyesight, how then do you identify wet macular degeneration? Common wet macular degeneration symptoms include:
- Variation of size and colour in objects when looked at with an unaffected eye.
- Straight lines may look wavy.
- Inability to read in low light.
- Inability to see details clearly.
- Blank or blurry area in the middle of your field of vision.
- Trouble adjusting to bright light when coming from somewhere darker or vice versa.
You should see an ophthalmologist at Founders Eyecare or any certified eye clinic at the sight of any of these symptoms.
Causes Of Wet Macular Degeneration
When diagnosed with wet macular degeneration, you might be wondering the things you do or don’t do that might have been the cause. Abnormal blood vessels that leak fluid or blood into the macula are the cause of macular degeneration. However, some factors increase your risk of having macular degeneration.
The factors that increase your risk of wet macular degeneration include:
- Age. This condition is mostly seen in people over 60 years.
- Obesity. Being obese increases your chances of getting macular degeneration.
- Smoking. Smoking cigarettes or frequent exposure to smoke increases your macular degeneration risks.
- Family history and genetics.
Wet Macular Degeneration Treatment.
Wet macular degeneration disease is incurable. However, there are available treatments for age-related macular degeneration in Castle Rock, CO. These treatments help in slowing the progression of the AMD and relieves its symptoms. These treatment procedures include:
Medication
The use of medication can help to stop the growth of new blood vessels by blocking growth signals for new blood vessels sent by the body. These medications can help keep your eyesight and even regain some of your lost vision.
Change Of Lifestyle
After being diagnosed with AMD, you can change your lifestyle to help save your eyesight. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, eating nutritious foods and managing your blood pressure and cholesterol can help protect your vision. You should also protect your eyes from sunlight, avoid smoking, and have frequent eye exams to slow vision loss.
Therapy
There are eye therapy measures that can help slow down your vision loss. These include photocoagulation, Photodynamic therapy and low vision rehabilitation.
Surgical Options
The use of laser treatments can help to reduce the number of abnormal blood vessels in the eyes and help reduce how much they leak. Correctional lenses can also be surgically implanted into the eyes.
Vitamin Supplements
Some vitamins can be used to slow down the progression of AMD.
Delayed treatment of wet macular degeneration can cause rapid, progressive central vision loss. Therefore, treatment should commence as soon a diagnosis confirms that you have wet macular degeneration.