Macular degeneration is a common eye problem that occurs due to the thinning of the macular – a delicate part of the retina that aids clear vision in your direct line of sight. It is common among people over 50 years and may first develop in one or both eyes. If you have macular degeneration San Antonio, you may have reduced central visions and visual distortions. As the symptoms worsen, it may interfere with your productivity since driving, recognizing faces, and reading may become challenging.
If this condition affects only one of your eyes, you may not notice any changes in your vision since the good eye may compensate for the affected one. Since macular degeneration doesn’t affect peripheral vision, it rarely causes blindness. Here are other symptoms of macular degeneration
Symptoms of macular degeneration
- Difficulty adjusting to low light levels.
- A well-defined blind or blurry spot in your field of vision.
- The blurriness of printed words.
- Need for brighter light when reading.
What causes macular degeneration?
Macular degeneration mainly develops as the eyes age. No one knows the exact cause of this disorder, but specialists believe that the disease has a hereditary component, which means that you can develop it if your family member had it. Other factors such as obesity, diet, and smoking also predispose you to this eye problem.
Potential complications
Sometimes macular degeneration can progress to central vision loss, leading to social isolation and depression. Profound vision loss usually causes people to see visual hallucinations. If dry macular degeneration progresses to wet macular degeneration and is left untreated, you may develop rapid vision loss.
How can I prevent macular degeneration?
Having routine eye examinations can help identify early signs of macular degeneration. If you have medical conditions such as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, you must take your medication as your doctor prescribes to control the condition. Smoking is a risk factor for macular degeneration; therefore, quitting smoking can help reduce your risk of this eye disorder. If you are a chronic smoker, ask your doctor how you can stop smoking.
Nutrition is an essential aspect of your overall well-being. Instead of eating processed foods, choose a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Vegetables and fruits have antioxidant vitamins that lower your risk of macular degeneration. Specialists also recommend losing extra pounds and maintaining a healthy BMI to prevent this condition. Losing weight reduces your risk of macular degeneration and other health problems such as heart disease and diabetes.
Treatment for macular degeneration
As of now, there is no treatment for this eye disorder. However, if your specialist diagnoses this condition early enough, you can take steps to slow its progression. For example, you may need to stop smoking, eat healthy meals and take vitamin supplements.
Fortunately, age-related macular degeneration doesn’t cause total blindness since it only affects your peripheral vision. However, it can reduce your central vision, which is necessary for reading, recognizing faces, and driving. For this reason, your doctor may recommend low vision rehabilitation to help you find ways to adapt to your changing vision.
Consult your specialist at Alamo Eye Care for further questions about macular degeneration.
