Omaha & Lincoln, NE
Age-related Macular Degeneration
Omaha & Lincoln, NE
Age-related Macular Degeneration
As you get older, you are at greater risk of developing certain eye diseases that can affect your vision, including age-related macular degeneration. Age-related macular degeneration (or AMD) is a progressive eye disease that affects your macula, a small area in the center of your retina. The macula is responsible for your central vision and the fine details you see.
Our eye doctors at ProEye Vision Center specialize in diagnosing age-related macular degeneration in its early stages, often before you notice symptoms. Early detection and treatment can lead to better treatment outcomes and prevent the disease from progressing, reducing the risk of complications and severe vision loss.
Types of age-related macular degeneration
There are two main types of AMD: dry and wet:
- Dry: This type is the most common and occurs as cells in the macular gradually break down, usually one eye at a time. Vision loss tends to be slow and gradual with the dry type.
- Wet: Wet AMD happens when abnormal blood vessels start to grow beneath the retina, leaking fluid and blood. This leakage can create a large blind spot in the center of your vision. While this type is less common, it usually progresses rapidly and results in more severe vision loss than dry AMD.
How is age-related macular degeneration diagnosed?
In the early stages, age-related macular degeneration may not have any noticeable symptoms. A comprehensive eye exam is the only way to detect this disease. During an eye exam, our eye doctor will check for AMD by testing your vision and examining your retina. If you have AMD, our optometrist will recommend treatment to help slow its progression and reduce its negative effects.
Treatment for age-related macular degeneration in Omaha or Lincoln, NE
Currently, there is no treatment for dry AMD. Your eye doctor may suggest regular eye exams to monitor its progression and nutritional supplements to lower the risk of it progressing to late-stage or wet AMD. For wet AMD, treatments such as photodynamic therapy, laser surgery, and anti-VEGF injections can prevent vision loss. Our eye doctor can assess your vision and eye health and recommend the best treatment for you.
Schedule an eye exam for macular degeneration
Regular eye exams are crucial in detecting AMD, especially for individuals with a family history of the disease or who are over the age of 50. Give us a call today to schedule your eye exam for macular degeneration in Omaha or Lincoln, Nebraska.