Macular Degeneration Treatment in Tampa, FL
Macular degeneration is a deterioration or breakdown of the macula. The macula is a small area in the retina at the back of the eye that allows you to see fine details clearly and perform activities such as reading and driving. When the macula does not function correctly, your central vision can be affected by blurriness, dark areas or distortion. Macular degeneration affects your ability to see near and far, and can make some activities—like threading a needle or reading—difficult or impossible.
Although macular degeneration reduces vision in the central part of the retina, it usually does not affect the eye’s side, or peripheral, vision. For example, you could see the outline of a clock but not be able to tell what time it is. Macular degeneration alone does not result in total blindness. Even in more advanced cases, people continue to have some useful vision and are often able to take care of themselves.
Don’t wait to see a specialist if you’re experiencing symptoms of macular degeneration. For patients in the Tampa area, the team at Retina Specialists of Tampa is here to help. Retina specialist Ahmad Tarabishy, MD and retina specialist Evan Dunn, MD are committed to excellence in patient care, treating diabetic retinopathy at our retina care clinic in Tampa, FL. Contact us today to schedule an appointment in Tampa, Wesley Chapel, or Lakeland and get started with eye floaters and flashes treatment.
What Causes Macular Degeneration?
Many elder people develop macular degeneration as part of the body’s natural aging process. There are different kinds of macular problems, but the most common is age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Exactly why it develops is not known. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of severe vision loss in Caucasians over 65.
Types of AMD
The two most common types of AMD are “dry” (atrophic) and “wet” (exudative):
“Dry” Macular Degeneration (Atrophic)
Most people have the “dry” form of AMD. It is caused by aging and thinning of the tissues of the macula. Vision loss is usually gradual.
“Wet” Macular Degeneration (Exudiative)
The “wet” form of macular degeneration accounts for about 10% of all AMD cases. It results when abnormal blood vessels form underneath the retina at the back of the eye. These new blood vessels leak fluid or blood and blur central vision. Vision loss may be rapid and severe. Deposits under the retina called drusen are a common feature of macular degeneration.
Drusen alone usually do not cause vision loss, but when they increase in size or number, this generally indicates an increased risk of developing advanced AMD. People at risk for developing advanced AMD have significant drusen, prominent dry AMD, or abnormal blood vessels under the macula in one eye (“wet” form).
What Are the Symptoms of Macular Degeneration?
Macular degeneration can cause different symptoms in different people. The condition may be hardly noticeable in its early stages. Sometimes only one eye loses vision while the other eye continues to see well for many years. But when both eyes are affected, the loss of central vision may be noticed more quickly.
Following are some common ways vision loss is detected:
- Words on a page look blurry
- A dark or empty area appears in the center of vision
- Straight lines look distorted, as in the following diagram
Diagnosing Macular Degeneration
Many people do not realize that they have a macular problem until blurred vision becomes obvious. Your ophthalmologist can detect early stages of AMD during a medical eye examination that includes the following:
1. A simple vision test in which you look at a chart that resembles graph paper
2. Viewing the macula with an ophthalmoscope
3. Taking special photographs of the eye called fluorescein angiography to find abnormal blood vessels under the retina
Treating Macular Degeneration
Nutritional Supplements
A large scientific study found that people at risk for developing advanced stages of AMD lowered their risk by about 25% when treated with a high-dose combination of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene, and zinc. Among those who have either no AMD or very early AMD, the supplements did not appear to provide an apparent benefit.
It is very important to remember that vitamin supplements are not a cure for AMD, nor will they restore vision that you may have already lost from the disease. However, specific amounts of these supplements do play a key role in helping some people at high risk for advanced AMD to maintain their vision. You should make an appointment with Dr. Dunn or Dr. Tarabishy, our board-certified Ophthalmologists, and retina Specialists to determine if you are at risk for developing advanced AMD, and to learn if supplements are recommended for you.
Laser Surgery, PDT, and Anti-VEGF Treatments
Certain types of “wet” macular degeneration can be treated with laser surgery, a brief outpatient procedure that uses a focused beam of light to slow or stop leaking blood vessels that damage the macula. A treatment called photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses a combination of a special drug and laser treatment to slow or stop leaking blood vessels.
Another form of treatment targets a specific chemical in your body that is critical in causing abnormal blood vessels to grow under the retina. That chemical is called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Anti-VEGF drugs block the trouble-causing VEGF, reducing the growth of abnormal blood vessels and slowing their leakage.
These procedures may preserve more sight overall, though they are not cures that restore vision to normal. Despite advanced medical treatment, many people with macular degeneration still experience some vision loss.
Adapting to Low Vision
To help you adapt to lower vision levels, your ophthalmologist at Retina Specialists of Tampa can prescribe optical devices or refer you to a low-vision specialist or center. A wide range of support services and rehabilitation programs are also available to help people with macular degeneration maintain a satisfying lifestyle.
Because side vision is usually not affected, a person’s remaining sight is very useful. Often, people can continue with many of their favorite activities by using low-vision optical devices such as magnifying devices, closed-circuit television, large-print reading materials and talking or computerized devices.
Testing Your Vision
You can check your vision daily by using an Amsler grid like the one pictured here:
To use the grid:
1. Wear your reading glasses and hold this grid 12–15 inches away from your face in good light.
2. Cover one eye.
3. Look directly at the center dot with the uncovered eye.
4. While looking directly at the center dot, note whether all lines of the grid are straight or if any areas are distorted, blurred or dark.
5. Repeat this procedure with the other eye.
6. If any area of the grid looks wavy, blurred or dark, contact your ophthalmologist immediately.
Macular Degeneration FAQs
What is macular degeneration?
Macular Degeneration is a disease characterized by a breakdown of the macula, the center, most sensitive part of the retina, the area we use to read and carry out our finest visual tasks.
What are the two main forms of macular degeneration?
Dry macular degeneration is associated with degeneration of the pigment cells under the macula and development of drusen. The pigment cells are necessary for normal retinal function so when the cells are lost, the overlying retina stops functioning and blind spots and distortion may occur. Drusen are by-products of retinal metabolism that accumulate under the macula causing distortion and blind spots.
Wet macular degeneration is associated with abnormal blood vessel growth under the macula which can lead to leakage of fluid, bleeding and scar-tissue growth under and within the retina. The onset of vision loss with the wet form of macular degeneration is usually more rapid and severe than in the dry form of macular degeneration.
What causes age-related macular degeneration?
Studies have found that both genetic and environmental risk factors like smoking play a major role in the development of age-related macular degeneration. Rarer forms of macular degeneration can occur in younger people and can be inherited or associated with trauma, infection or systemic disease.
What are the symptoms of macular degeneration?
- Blurring of central vision
- Blind spots in the central vision
- Difficulty seeing detail up close and at a distance
- Distortion of lines and shapes
- Diminished color vision
Are there special tests to diagnose macular degeneration?
Yes. Your doctor will examine your eyes with special lenses to view the interior of the eye through the pupil. Other tests for macular degeneration include:
Acuity Tests: this test measures the sensitivity of your central vision at specific distances in specific lighting situations.
Amsler Grid Test: this test checks for blind spots, loss of sight and distortion.
Fluorescein Angiogram Test: a dye is injected in the vein of your arm and then photos are taken of the retina and the macula in order to identify new blood vessel growth and leakage from blood vessels.
Optical Coherence Tonography (OCT): this test takes a cross sectional image of almost microscopic detail of the layers of the retina and underlying structures affected by macular degeneration. It is very helpful in determining if there is fluid leaking in or under the retina, and abnormal blood vessels or scar tissue in the macula.
Can macular degeneration lead to total blindness?
Most people with macular degeneration retain peripheral vision and learn to optimize the use of their remaining vision. Low vision aides can sometimes be helpful also. Macular degeneration, in its late stages, can severely affect central vision. However, macular degeneration alone will never lead to total blindness. People with macular degeneration retain peripheral vision and learn to optimize the use of their remaining vision. Low vision aides can sometimes be helpful also.
Can macular degeneration be prevented?
No, the most important thing to do is to have regular eye exams, which may allow early detection and diagnosis. This is particularly important if a close relative has been diagnosed with macular degeneration.
What treatment options are available for dry macular degeneration?
The progression and severity of dry macular degeneration can be reduced with certain vitamins, minerals and Omega III fatty acids. Controlling high blood pressure and quitting smoking can be helpful.
What treatment options are available for wet macular degeneration?
There is no cure for wet macular degeneration. However, several treatment options are available. The most common anti-VEGF medications used are bevacizumab (Avastin (R)), aflibercept (Eylea (R)), and ranibizumab (Lucentis (R)). Ask your doctor which medication is best for you.
Thermal Laser was the first treatment used to treat wet macular degeneration and is still occasionally used. A laser beam is focused on the blood vessels to cauterize them.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses a low intensity laser to stimulate a light sensitive drug that is injected intravenously to cause shrinking of the abnormal blood vessels in the macula associated with macular degeneration.
Anti-VEGF medication is the newest and best treatment for wet macular degeneration. These medications are injected into the eye and decrease leakage from and the progression of the abnormal blood vessels growing under the retina in macular degeneration. Anti-VEGF medications are not a cure and continued treatment is necessary to minimize the adverse effects of the abnormal blood vessels and maximize the patients vision.
Treatment for wet macular degeneration can involve combining these types of treatments.
What are the risk factors associated with macular degeneration?
- Age
- Smoking
- Family history of macular degeneration
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Schedule a Macular Degeneration Appointment in Tampa Today!
Macular degeneration is a deterioration or breakdown of the macula. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, call Retina Specialists of Tampa at (813) 973-3333 to schedule an appointment. We have offices in Tampa, Wesley Chapel, or Lakeland, FL.
