Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is a condition primarily experienced by older Americans. Wet and dry macular degeneration are the most common types.
Understanding Macular Degeneration
This disease affects the central vision, which means you cannot see objects directly in front of you clearly. Most people do not start developing symptoms associated with macular degeneration until age 50 or older.
The macula in the eye is the central part of the retina. Your retina sits at the back of your eye and controls your central vision. When the macula starts to deteriorate, it impacts the central part of each retina.
Macular degeneration does not cause complete blindness because it affects only the central vision. You can usually see items on the left or right side of your eyes very clearly. This is known as peripheral vision.
Symptoms and Risk Factors of Macular Degeneration
Your macula sends images from the optic nerves in your eyes to your brain, which in turn interprets them. Macular degeneration interrupts this process. However, most people do not experience any symptoms until the disease progresses. Below are the most common symptoms of macular degeneration.
- Blurry vision
- Dark or blurred spots in your line of vision
- Difficulty seeing and interpreting colors correctly
- Inability to see clearly in low light
- Low vision
- Seeing straight lines as wavy or curvy
We encourage you to contact us right away if you have even one of these symptoms. The sooner Dr. Palmer can diagnose macular degeneration or another eye condition, the sooner you can start treatment for it.
Increasing your intake of certain vitamins and taking prescription medication is the typical treatment plan for macular degeneration. Dr. Palmer understands that every patient is unique and tailors his diagnostic and treatment methods based on symptoms and health history. Please contact us to schedule an exam to determine if you have macular degeneration in Tullahoma TN today.
