Macular Degeneration

Jose Mayans, MD

Ophthalmologist & Retinal Surgeon located in Odessa, TX

Macular degeneration is the most common cause of vision loss, impacting more than 10 million men and women in the United States. At his eye clinic in Odessa, Texas, Jose Mayans, MD, offers the most advanced diagnostic tools available for detecting and managing eye conditions, including macular degeneration. For more information on treating macular degeneration, call Jose Mayans, MD, or schedule an appointment online today.

432-217-6641

Macular Degeneration Q & A

What is macular degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a problem with your retina that causes vision loss. This condition occurs when the area of your retina associated with your central vision, known as the macula, sustains damage. This part of your retina focuses your vision and controls your ability to see fine detail, recognize faces and colors, and also allows you to perform functions like reading and driving.

Ophthalmologists organize macular degeneration into two types: dry and wet. Dry AMD accounts for approximately 80% of macular degeneration cases. This form of macular degeneration leads to a gradual loss of your central vision when your macula thins as you age and tiny deposits of protein accumulate. Wet macular degeneration develops when you have abnormal blood vessels under your retina that lead to macular scarring.

Both forms of AMD lead to central vision loss, but it happens faster with wet macular degeneration.

What are the symptoms of macular degeneration?

Macular degeneration is typically diagnosed during an eye exam before symptoms develop. As your condition progresses, however, you may experience:

Fuzzy or blurred vision
A dark or empty space in your central vision
The feeling that straight lines are wavy, especially at the edges of your sight line

You might also feel as though some objects are smaller than they actually are.

What causes macular degeneration?

The exact cause of macular degeneration isn’t known, but certain things -- especially aging -- increase your risk of developing the condition. Additional factors that increase your chances of macular degeneration include:

Consuming a diet high in saturated fats, like butter, cheese, and meat
Being overweight or obese
Smoking
Having a family history of macular degeneration

Your risks of developing macular degeneration are also higher if you’re Caucasian and have high cholesterol or heart disease.

How is macular degeneration diagnosed and treated?

Dr. Mayans uses the latest technology to diagnose and manage macular degeneration, including optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). OCTA enables Dr. Mayans to create ultra-high resolution, three-dimensional images of your retina. This noninvasive visual imaging captures minute details of your retina’s blood vessels to help detect and manage vascular conditions, like macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

There isn’t a cure for wet or dry forms of macular degeneration, but Dr. Mayans can recommend medications and nutritional supplements to help slow their progression.

Call Jose Mayans, MD, or schedule an appointment online today to learn more about managing macular degeneration.

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