Macular Degeneration

Symptoms of Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration affects each person differently, making diagnosis challenging. As the cells deteriorate, symptoms may include:

• Distortion in straight lines
• Dark spots in central vision
• Fading colors
• Difficulty adapting to light changes
• Blurred vision
• Changes in the appearance of objects
• Difficulty tolerating bright lights
• Words disappearing while reading

Risk Reduction and Healthy Living

While there is no clear trigger for macular degeneration, certain lifestyle choices can reduce the risk. Consider:

• Stopping Smoking
• Maintaining a Healthy Diet
• Moderating Alcohol Consumption
• Maintaining a Healthy Weight
• Regular Exercise

Limited research suggests that consuming leafy, green vegetables may slow vision deterioration in cases of dry AMD.

Treatment for AMD

Unfortunately, there is no cure for AMD, but treatments aim to optimize remaining vision:

Dry AMD

Treatment focuses on aiding patients in making the most of their existing vision, including the use of magnifying glasses for reading.

Wet AMD

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor medication is a common treatment to prevent additional blood vessel development and halt further vision deterioration. Laser therapy is occasionally suggested for destroying abnormal blood cells but is suitable for wet AMD cases only.