Southern California Macular Degeneration Specialist

Macular Degeneration Doctors Serving Southern California

Macular degeneration specialist Southern California, CA patients trusts knows that age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of vision loss for people over 50 years of age. The following is a brief overview of the condition. For more details, contact Retina Associates of Orange County.

What Is AMD?

The macula is part of the retina. Its job is to keep our central vision accurate and sharp. If it becomes damaged, AMD can develop. The arteries begin to harden, prohibiting the macula from getting the nutrients it should. This results in tissues in the retina beginning to weaken and eventually will die off. These dead tissues mean vision loss. This loss occurs gradually, over time.

Types of AMD

There are two different types of AMD that a Southern California macular degeneration specialist can treat, wet and dry. Dry AMD is the most common.

When a person has wet AMD (also referred to as neovascular AMD), the arteries are blocked and retinal tissues have started to die off. The retina does have new blood vessels growing, but they are weaker and not as strong as the damaged retinal tissues were. This condition results in blood and fluids being leaked from the blood vessels into the layers of the retina, causing the person’s vision to become distorted. When these fluids dry, scar tissue is left on the retina, causing dark spots to appear in the vision.

If a person has dry AMD (also referred to as non-neovascular AMD), there are no new blood vessels created, but there are small particles that begin to form inside the eye. These particles are called drusen. The drusen cause the macula and retina to deteriorate over time, causing vision loss.  

Symptoms of AMD

Typically, there are no symptoms that indicate that a person has AMD. They usually do not realize anything is wrong until the condition has reached advanced stages and they actually begin experiencing vision loss. This is why it is critical for everyone to have an annual eye exam.

Some of the most common signs something is wrong include:

• Vision is blurry.
• Unable to see objects clearly. This occurs over a gradual period of time.
• Unable to see color vision. This also occurs over a gradual period of time.
• A dark spot appears in the middle of the person’s vision.

If any of these symptoms appear, it is important to get checked out by an eye doctor. Even if the issue is not AMD, these symptoms indicate that something else is happening and needs to be addressed.

Call Our Office Today

Although there is no cure for AMD, there are steps you can take to help slow down the advancement of the condition. If you are experiencing issues with your eyes, do not delay in contacting Retina Associates of Orange County to schedule an appointment with a Southern California macular degeneration specialist.