Macular Degeneration
An AMD Specialist Laguna Hills patients trust is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, medical treatment, and surgical treatment of retina disorders. Most ophthalmologists and optometrists are unable to treat serious retinal conditions, so they will refer their patient to a retinal specialist. Your eyes are extremely important and also very delicate so it matters who is performing medical treatments, and even surgery, on your eyes.
The doctors at Retina Associates of Orange County are committed to meeting each of their patients’ needs. Retina Associates of Orange County is proud to say that each Laguna Hills AMD specialist is highly-skilled, as well as proud to offer a highly-trained and caring staff to take care of each individual patient.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss and complete blindness in older people. This is caused when the center part of the retina, the macula, deteriorates. Typically, AMD causes the patient to lose their vision slowly and painlessly.
Risk Factors of AMD
- Age
- Smoking
- Hereditary
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Nutritional deficiencies of vitamins A, C, E, and zinc
Forms of AMD
There are two diagnosed forms of macular degeneration: dry and wet. Dry AMD is more common form and wet AMD is a more serious and damaging form.
Dry AMD is considered the early stage of the disease. Between 85 to 90 percent of those diagnosed with AMD are diagnosed with Dry AMD. Dry AMD is caused by yellow spots that are accumulated from the debris of tissue around the macula; this then leads to the patient seeing a dark spot in the center of the image their eyes see.
Wet AMD is a more advanced and harmful form of the disease. With wet AMD, abnormal blood vessels grow and cause scarring around the macula. This form typically causes severe vision loss.
Treatment of AMD
There is currently no cure for macular degeneration, however, an AMD Specialist Laguna Hills residents call have learned different strategies to slow AMD’s progress and can sometimes improve vision.
There have been studies that found that increased amounts of vitamins A, C, E, and zinc may slow dry AMD’s rate of progress. Before adding any additional vitamins to your daily regimen, be sure to consult your AMD Specialist Laguna Hills families depend on. The patient can also minimize their risk factors, listed above, by having a healthy lifestyle. Vision loss caused by AMD can be permanent, however, there are special devices an AMD Specialist in Laguna Hills has that can provide improvement.
Finding a AMD Specialist Laguna Hills locals recommend you trust is very important. It is key to be able to talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding your vision. Catching macular degeneration early will allow for your retinal specialist to try to find ways to slow the progress of the disease and prolong your clear vision. The potential for vision impairment or blindness is scary.
The retinal specialists at Retina Associates of Orange County want to work with you and help eliminate your fears of macular degeneration. If you have experienced vision impairment and believe to have macular degeneration, contact a AMD Specialist Laguna Hills provides at 949-707-5125 today to schedule an appointment.