What is Macular Degeneration in Chico, Ca & Paradise, Ca?

Macular degeneration is one of those scary-sounding conditions that can live up to its reputation without early diagnosis and treatment. Here's an explanation of the disease from our optical clinic in Paradise and Chico CA.
 

Stages of Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Age related macular degeneration, or AMD, afflicts more than 2 million people in the U.S., showing its first signs after the age of 50. AMD is considered a leading cause of vision problems from aging. The condition does permanent damage to a portion of the retina called the macula, which is responsible for handling images in your center of vision. As the macular degenerates, you may suffer reduced vision or poor vision when you try to see things or people directly in front of you.

The first stage of AMD, "dry" macular degeneration, may cause no or minimal vision loss over many years. The more advanced stage, "wet" macular degeneration, causes increasingly poor vision as abnormal blood vessels in the retina break and leak blood.
 

Macular Degeneration Treatments in Paradise and Chico

The earlier our eye doctors in Paradise and Chico can identify AMD, the earlier we can prescribe the appropriate treatment, minimizing the risk for increasingly reduced vision. Macular degeneration treatments in Paradise and Chico may range from constant monitoring and lifestyle advice (in the case of dry AMD) to specific nutritional protocols and the use of injectable medications to control leaky blood vessel formation (for wet AMD). In some cases, our eye doctors in Paradise and Chico may recommend laser treatments to seal up those leaky blood vessels.
 

Learn More from Our Optometrists in Paradise and Chico CA

Macular degeneration is a serious problem, but it's not an unmanageable one. Remember, the sooner our optometrists in Paradise and Chico CA can spot a case of AMD, the better chance you have of retaining optimal eyesight. Don't let vision problems from aging ruin your quality of life. Call Reeve-Woods Eye Center at either of our locations for an eye exam!