What is Macular Degeneration?
Macular degeneration is a group of diseases that affect the centre of the retina. This disease becomes more common as you get older. This can result in poor reading vision, poor distance vision and in severe cases, painless loss of vision.
Macular degeneration can be dry/non-exudative (no retinal fluid) or wet/ exudative (active retinal fluid or blood from lesions under the retina).
Wet macular degeneration more commonly results in severe loss of vision if not treated.
What are the types of Macular Degeneration?
What are the symptoms of Macular Degeneration?
Risk factors for developing Macular Degeneration are:
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Age over 50 years
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Family history of Macular Degeneration
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Smoking
What are the risk factors for Macular Degeneration?
How is Macular Degeneration diagnosed?
Early detection is important. Diagnosis is made by direct inspection of the retina. Even small amounts of fluid can be detected using modern retinal imaging techniques like OCT or Fluorescein Angiography.
These can include:
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Distortion of straight lines
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Difficulty reading
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Difficulty distinguishing faces
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Dark patches in your visual field
How is Macular Degeneration treated?
There is no cure for Macular degeneration. There is no treatment for dry macular degeneration. Regular monitoring is advised. Urgent review is recommended is there has been a sudden change in vision as this may indicate the development of wet macular degeneration.
Wet macular degeneration is treated with eye injections of Anti-VEGF drugs. These drugs (Lucentis or Eyelea) are effective in stabalising the disease to maintain the best vision for as long as possible. In 25% of patients, early treatment of exudative/ wet macular degeneration can improve vision.
Dr Ferdinands provides up-to-date investigations and treatment for Macular Degeneration patients in Geelong. Macular degeneration treatment injections are carried out as a sterile procedure in the Minor Procedure Suite in the rooms.
If you would like a macular review, you can book an appointment with Dr Ferdinands at the Geelong Eye Centre on (03) 5221 6555.