California Macular Degeneration Specialist

Eyes are extremely complex and crucial for many of our everyday tasks, but unfortunately, they can also be susceptible to various diseases and disorders which is why sometimes it’s necessary to consult a California Macular Degeneration specialist. A macular degeneration specialist will be able to check you or your loved one’s eyes to see if they are suffering from any version of macular degeneration. Any noticeable change in vision–no matter how seemingly small–should prompt you to visit a physician. If you are experiencing changes in your vision then you should contact us at Retina Associates of Orange County.

What is Macular Degeneration? 

While macular degeneration can take on different forms, essentially this disorder is caused by the central part of the retina undergoing a deterioration that often accelerates as time passes on. The retina’s central part is known as the macula and allows us to focus our central vision. Since this condition usually doesn’t affect a person’s peripheral vision, patients will often only see symptoms of macular degeneration when engaging in activities such as reading or driving. Compounded with the fact that the condition usually starts out only affecting one eye it can be easy to not notice the reduction in vision or underestimate its severity. Unfortunately, this leads to many patients not seeking help until the condition becomes extremely severe. 

Types of Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration can be broken into two main categories:

• Dry: This is the most common and 85% to 90% of patients experience this type. Essentially, there is no leakage of blood or serum. 
• Wet: Due to blood or fluid under the macula, patients may often see dark spots in the center of their vision. Although wet macular degeneration is less common, dry macular degeneration can sometimes progress into being wet. 

In addition to wet or dry, there are types of macular degeneration that refer to age (either of which can be wet or dry). Although macular degeneration is more common in patients 50 years or older (with a bigger upswing happening in 65+) and is referred to as Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), it can happen in younger patients as well. 

While extremely rare and caused by a recessive gene, macular degeneration in younger patients is known as Stargardt’s disease. To seek treatment for any type, you’ll want to enlist the services of a California macular degeneration specialist. 

What Are the Causes of Macular Degeneration?

The macula is part of the retina in a person’s eye. When this portion of the eye begins to deteriorate it can cause vision loss or other vision problems. There are two main types of macular degeneration. One of them is dry macular degeneration which occurs when the middle portion of the retina breaks down. The other type is referred to as wet macular degeneration. This is caused by blood vessels that form behind the retina. These blood vessels leak which is why this form is called wet macular degeneration.

Other Contributing Causes of Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is generally something that is blamed on the aging process of people. The older people get the more that certain areas of the body deteriorate and eyesight is the same. However, there are other contributing factors to this condition. They include:

• Heart Disease
• Being Overweight or Obese
• Genetics
• Smoking

If you believe that you are suffering from macular degeneration then it is time to speak with a macular degeneration specialist in Orange County CA from Retina Associates of Orange County. We have helped many people with diagnosing this condition and helping them to restore their eyesight.

What Are Symptoms of Macular Degeneration?

There are quite a few early symptoms or causes for concern in the eyesight for this condition. If straight lines begin to appear crooked or bent then it could be that someone is suffering from macular degeneration. Blurriness in eyesight is also a symptom as well as sensitivity to light. Some people also have a tough time recognizing the faces of other people when they are suffering from this condition. If you have any of these symptoms then it may be time to visit an Orange County macular degeneration specialist from Retina Associates of Orange County to properly diagnose and help fix the condition.

Ways to Help Slow Down Macular Degeneration

Slowing down macular degeneration is something that is advised to people who believe or have been diagnosed with this condition. It’s important to eat healthily and to live a healthy life if you or someone you know has this problem. Certain vitamins and supplements may also be helpful in slowing down this process. Learn more about your own genetics and who else in your family has had this condition. Wearing sunglasses can also help to put less strain on the eyes and may be helpful. Finally, one of the most important things that can be done is not to smoke cigarettes or other devices. Smoking can be harmful to the body and eyesight too. 

Treatment for Macular Degeneration

Treatments will vary from person to person due to the severity of the macular degeneration that they are experiencing. In some cases, surgery is advised to correct this problem. Vitamins, supplements, and medications are also used by people who have this condition in many cases. Glasses and other types of lenses can also help to restore eyesight. Your macular degeneration specialist in Orange County CA from Retina Associates of Orange County can fill you in more about the different treatments for this condition.

How We Can Help

Our leading team of ophthalmologists is here to help you through macular degeneration or any other eye-related problems. We specialize in diseases such as macular degeneration and will be able to easily diagnose you and administer the necessary treatment that can reduce the effects as well as delay any future progress. Laser photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy (PDT), and anti-VEGF drugs are some of the methods we can employ. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with a form of macular degeneration or believe you may have symptoms or simply want to make sure that everything is fine with your vision, you can contact Retina Associates of Orange County today and schedule an appointment with a California macular degeneration specialist.