The inside back layer of your eye is called the macula. It records images that you view and sends the images by way of your eye's optic nerve to your brain. Your healthy macula focuses central vision in your eye. Because of the macula's central vision focus, you are able to see everything that you do. Macular degeneration occurs when the central portion of your retina disintegrates and you receive incorrect images. Macular degeneration does not affect your vision in its early stages. If the disease progresses, you'll experience blurred vision. As the condition gets worse, you could lose your entire central vision and become legally blind. Be aware that your symptoms may be different since there are two kinds of macular degeneration.

Dry Macular Degeneration

When a number of small and round yellow-white spots begin to develop at the outer area of the retina, then that points to a dry macular degeneration formation called drusen. You are more likely to develop this disease when you are 70 years old, but you can also reportedly have the disease when the spots start showing up during eye examination when you are also 30 years old. That's why it's important for you to schedule annual eye exams when you begin having eye problems. Progressive dry macular degeneration is responsible for your vision loss while drusen spots only point to symptoms of the disease.

Treating Dry Macular Degeneration

Dry macular degeneration cannot be cured. When discovered early and treated with vitamins, healthy diets and a no-smoking habit, these efforts can slow down progressive aspects of the disease. Although you will suffer from low vision, experts say you can turn to specialists in the field who will help you find ways to use your low vision to your advantage. If you have advanced progressive symptoms, new technology offers surgical implanting of telescopic lens in one of your eyes. When implanted, the lens magnify your field of vision, and you may reportedly have improved distance and close-up vision following this surgical procedure.

Wet Macular Degeneration

Medical professionals note that new blood vessels begin growing under the center of your retina, which creates all kinds of problems when you suffer from wet macular degeneration. The blood vessels begin leaking as they bleed and scar your retina. A number of other issues predispose you to acquire the disease. Those issues include genetics, obesity, smoking and sleep apnea problems.

Treating Wet Macular Degeneration

Your ophthalmologist might prescribe medications that curb the growth of those rogue new blood vessels. These drugs are said to be the first line of defense treatment for wet macular degeneration. The meds will be injected directly into your eyes. Photodynamic therapy is also reportedly used to address the development of these abnormal blood vessel growths.  

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