Table of Content
If the lines are wavy it could mean you have drusen as in the case of dry AMD or it could be the early signs of the wet form of the disease. In either case, its because there is something in or under the retina distorting it. Dry macular degeneration causes areas of the retina to become ischemic.
The wet form is diagnosed when fluid is seen under the retina either by this same type of exam or by a test called an OCT. A test using the Amsler grid can determine whether you are having any visual distortions. In this test, a grid of straight lines is presented, and one eye is covered while you look at the central dot. With the varying speed of progression and prevalence of the different types of macular degeneration, having an early diagnosis is never a guarantee. With a comprehensive eye exam and additional testing to evaluate eye health, your doctor can see the signs indicative to each type and make a proper diagnosis.
Frequently Asked Questions
This allows him or her to pinpoint the cause of the visual disturbances, make a definitive diagnosis and determine the extent of illness so that an effective treatment can be initiated. One of the first signs of macular degeneration can be wavy, broken or distorted lines OR a blurred or missing area of vision. Early detection of wet age related macular degeneration is critical because laser treatment, when indicated, is most successful when performed before damage occurs. Since dry age related macular degeneration can lead to development of wet age related macular degeneration, most patients should use the Amsler Grid. You will likely need a dilated eye exam to check for macular degeneration. Make an appointment with a doctor who specializes in eye care, such as an optometrist or an ophthalmologist.
Age-related macular degeneration is a disease that blurs the sharp, central vision you need for “straight-ahead” activities such as reading, writing checks, and driving. It is a leading cause of vision loss in Americans 60 years of age and older. If the lines appear curved or blocked out, it could be a sign your eye has developed the advanced form of macular degeneration known as wet AMD.
Which is worse wet or dry macular degeneration?
Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
Exudative macular degeneration is a progressive eye disease that causes leaky blood vessels and can lead to vision loss. If your doctor detects any signs of AMD, they may recommend a change in diet that includes green vegetables, such as kale and spinach. These nutrients replenish macular pigment levels, absorb dangerous blue light and block free radicals.
Benefits of ForeseeHome™
The fluid may sometimes create a gray, white, or black “blind spot” in or around the center of your visual field by interfering with retinal function. If you have dry macular degeneration , an Amsler grid may help you keep track of your vision. The grid will aid you in detecting the disease’s progression from dry to wet AMD at an early, manageable stage.
If started early enough, treatment may recover some lost vision. While focusing on the dot, the patient also looks at the surrounding lines. Notes are made regarding any distortions that are perceived in the lines, such as blank areas or wavy lines.
A healthcare provider will dilate your pupils with eye drops to view the back of your retina. Dilation makes it possible for them to check the back of the eye for signs of disease, like retinal and optic nerve disease damage. Macular degeneration is usually diagnosed when your eye doctor performs a dilated eye exam and looks at the macula with a special magnifying lens. The first signs of it are yellow spots called drusen.
It will show you progression or hopefully regression during treatment. The Amsler grid is a test used by optometrists and ophthalmologists to diagnose visual impairments caused by macula damage . Whether you can see symbols or alphanumeric characters, are experiencing distorted vision, and how wide your field of vision may be. The diagnosis and treatment of age-related macular degeneration. Although macular degeneration can lead to serious vision problems, early diagnoses can greatly improve the outlook of people who have it.
Without treatment, macular degeneration can likely cause vision loss. However, treatment can help preserve a person’s vision. Some people may be at an increased risk of developing macular degeneration. Risk factors for this condition may be demographic factors, including that the condition tends to be common in women and in people more than 60 years old. Other risk factors can include lifestyle factors such as smoking, and having high blood pressure. An early diagnosis can make a large difference to the outlook of people with macular degeneration, as it can help prevent significant vision loss.
OCT produces cross-sectional images of the retina so that the different layers and their thicknesses can be measured. When your doctor suspects advanced dry AMD, this technique can identify regions of the retina that are thinning, indicating the presence of geographic atrophy. Doctors also routinely use this test to assess the retina's response to various treatments.
All Rights Reserved, unless otherwise stated. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any eye or health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. You should not stop taking any medication or change your course of treatment without first consulting your physician. The Macula Center does not endorse, guarantee or make any claims for or about any products or information mentioned or linked to from this website. The Amsler grid is a tool that eye doctors use to detect vision problems resulting from damage to the macula or the optic nerve.
Doctors encourage people to use the Amsler grid at least once a week to check their eyesight. People can obtain a grid from their eye doctor or can save or download the one we provide in this article. If it’s time to check your eyes, here’s some of the tests you may take to detect age-related macular degeneration . Your doctor or other health care provider may recommend you get services more often than Medicare covers.
No comments:
Post a Comment