Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration can impact your central vision if undetected, but fortunately, you can take steps to preserve your eyesight. The most important step is annual eye exams at Harrisburg Eye Associates in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, under the skilled care of ophthalmologist Alexander Szeles, DO, and his caring team. Call the office or book an appointment online today to learn more about macular degeneration.

What is age-related macular degeneration (AMD)?

AMD is an eye disease that affects the middle part of the retina (the tissue in the back of your eye). Specifically, AMD occurs in the macula, the part of the retina that controls central vision. 

The two types of AMD are:

Dry AMD

People with dry AMD have tiny deposits of waste products within the eye, also known as drusen. The macula thins over time, causing a gradual loss of central vision. 

About 9 out of 10 people with AMD have dry AMD. 

Wet AMD

Wet AMD occurs when new abnormal blood vessels grow in the tissue layer behind the retina. The weak, new blood vessels frequently leak blood, lipids, and other fluids into the retina. This can cause scarring in the macula, which destroys the cells needed for central vision. 

Only about 10% of dry AMD cases turn into wet AMD.

At Harrisburg Eye Associates, the team can expertly diagnose both types of AMD in the office. 

How is macular degeneration diagnosed?

Dry AMD doesn’t usually cause symptoms in its early stages, which is why you need comprehensive eye exams (which include AMD screening) every year. The Harrisburg Eye Associates team uses state-of-the-art testing to discover AMD in its early form, when it’s easiest to control its progression. 

They may ask you to look at a graph that helps detect distorted, blurry, or blank areas in your visual field. The team also views the back of your eye while dilated to see the retina in great detail. 

In some cases, they may perform advanced testing like optical coherence tomography (OCT) to scan your retina and produce detailed images. They might also perform fluorescein angiography, in which they use an injected dye and a special camera to take images of your retinal blood vessels. 

How is macular degeneration treated? 

There’s no cure for dry AMD currently, but specific combinations of nutritional supplements show great promise in delaying the progression of the disease. The Harrisburg Eye Associates team can discuss these supplements and their effects with you if you receive a dry AMD diagnosis. 

Wet AMD is treatable, with the primary approach being in-office injections that close off the abnormal retinal blood vessels. If you have wet AMD, the team can refer you to an experienced retinal disease specialist and co-manage your care with them. 

If you’re due for an eye exam or need macular degeneration screening, call Harrisburg Eye Associates or book an appointment online today.