3 Possible Treatments for Macular Degeneration
Are you suffering vision issues? Are you starting to see blurred images in the center of your vision? You could be suffering from a common condition called macular degeneration. This issue affects millions of Americans, especially older individuals. It involves the degeneration of the macula, which is in the center of the cornea. The growth of abnormal blood vessels in the macula causes your vision to become blurred. There are two types of degeneration. The dry version is the most common. The wet version is less common but is often much more serious.
There's no cure for macular degeneration, and the exact cause is a bit of a mystery. There are a number of factors that play a role, including age, genetics, diet, and lifestyle habits. While your macular degeneration can't be cured, it can be treated. There are a number of steps you can take to minimize the impact of degeneration and maintain your vision. Below are a few possible options:
Lifestyle changes. If you're in the early stages of macular degeneration, your most efficient and effective treatment option may be to simply live healthier. Consider moving to a healthier diet with lower fat intake. Exercise more frequently. Weight loss could also slow the advance of the degeneration. Smoking is also a major contributor to macular degeneration. There are plenty of good reasons to quit smoking, but keeping your vision might be the best. By quitting smoking you may limit the severity of your vision loss.
Drug injections. For more advanced cases of degeneration, you may need to see an eye doctor or eye surgeon who can provide tougher treatment. One option is to have drugs injected directly into your eye. While that may sound painful, it's a quick procedure and is often highly effective. The drugs move to your cornea and attack abnormal cells that have been created by the degeneration. Once the abnormal vessels are damaged and destroyed, your eye can create new, healthy blood vessels. Some people even regain vision. You'll likely need several treatments before you start seeing results.
Submacular surgery. In some instances, it may be difficult for your eye surgeon to reach abnormal blood vessels with an injection or a laser. In that case, surgery may be the best option. An eye surgeon rotates the macula to gain access to abnormal blood vessels. He or she then damages or removes them so they stop discoloring or blurring your vision. The surgeon may also opt to use laser therapy in the procedure to minimize damage caused by abnormal blood vessels.
Ready to regain your vision or have more questions about eye surgery? Contact an eye surgeon in your area. They can examine your eyes and recommend a treatment plan.
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