What causes macular degeneration? Though the reason for the onset of macular degeneration is unknown, science has come a long way in understanding what is actually causing the symptoms of the disease. Here’s what science currently tells us about what causes macular degeneration, as well as macular degeneration warning signs to watch out for and more.

The current science behind what causes macular degeneration 

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that primarily affects the central portion of the retina, known as the macula. 

In its dry (non-neovascular) form –– the most common form –– little bits of fat and protein called drusen begin to collect underneath your retina. Individual drusen are typically harmless, but when they accumulate en masse behind your retina, they start to cut off the oxygen supply to your eye. In the wet (neovascular) form of macular degeneration, abnormal blood vessels (thought to form as an effort to rid your eye of drusen) also begin to form underneath the retina. Unfortunately, these blood vessels increase the risk of fluid or blood leaking into the retina.

Dry macular degeneration is considered less serious and causes more minimal vision loss than wet macular degeneration. Please see our article for more information regarding wet vs. dry macular degeneration. 

FAQ: How long does it take to lose vision with macular degeneration?

On average, it takes approximately 10 years from diagnosis to become legally blind. In very severe cases, eyesight can be lost in as short as a few days. If you are near the age of 70, try to see your eye doctor regularly.

Macular degeneration risk factors 

While what causes these drusen to collect (and thus what causes macular degeneration onset) is still unknown, several risk factors for AMD have been identified. 

• • Age: Age is by far the biggest determining risk factor for AMD. It’s very common for individuals over the age of 70 to be diagnosed with some degree of macular degeneration. 
  • Gender: Women are currently considered to be more likely to get AMD than men, but this may be because most women live longer than men. About ⅔ of all patients with AMD are women.  
  • Smoking: People who smoke have been found more likely to have AMD. It is thought that this is due to the fact that smoking reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches your eyes.
      
  • High blood pressure: Like smoking, high blood pressure can also reduce the amount of oxygen that reaches your eyes.

Other potential risk factors include obesity, certain medications, and poor diet, although the research on linking these factors to AMD is still inconclusive. 

Signs of macular degeneration to watch out for 

There are a few symptoms to note if you suspect you may have macular degeneration. Here are some typical examples of the common signs of macular degeneration to look out for:

• Your vision is gradually becoming more blurry
• Your eyes have difficulty adjusting to different levels of light 
• You may have issues with color, depth, and texture perception
• Your vision becomes spotty  

If any of these signs of macular degeneration feel familiar, check out our article on how to self-test for macular degeneration using the macular degeneration amsler grid. 

Early detection is key to the successful treatment of macular degeneration. If macular degeneration is not detected soon enough, your vision can become more wavy and distorted at a quicker rate. 

Can you reverse macular degeneration? 

There currently are no macular degeneration treatment options that will cure you of AMD. However, if you catch the early signs, you may be able to slow the disease down. The best way to practice macular degeneration prevention is to make permanent lifestyle changes to slow the disease:

• Schedule regular eye exams 
• Quit smoking
• Incorporate vitamins A, E, and C 
• Improve your diet and exercise
• Protect your eyes from sunlight exposure 

For a deeper understanding of AMD prevention, read our article: Macular Degeneration Prevention Tips. Treatment options for AMD include laser procedures, eye injections, and certain vitamins. For more information, speak with an ophthalmologist at Eye Center of Texas. 

Don’t wait. Speak with a macular degeneration specialist at Eye Center of Texas today

Think you may be showing signs of macular degeneration? Have additional questions regarding what causes macular degeneration? A retina specialist in Houston from Eye Center of Texas can help answer your questions and work with you on how to maintain your vision. Our experience detecting and treating macular degeneration allows us to promptly answer your questions and take preventative measures. 

Call 713-797-1010 or request an appointment online today. 

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The main difference between wet vs dry macular degeneration is simple: dry macular degeneration is the more common type of eye disease and does less damage to your vision while wet macular degeneration can result in serious vision loss. 

Clinically, however, there are more specific differences between wet vs. dry macular degeneration that are slightly more involved. We’ll discuss these here along with other important information about the difference between wet and dry AMD. 

For more resources regarding macular degeneration, check out our articles: What is Macular Degeneration?, Common signs of macular degeneration, and 5 Macular Degeneration Prevention Tips. 

What causes macular degeneration?

Before we get into the details of wet vs. dry macular degeneration, it’s important to understand what macular degeneration is, in general. Macular degeneration is a chronic eye disease that gradually destroys central vision. When the process of transporting nutrients and waste by a layer of cells called the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is slowed down, yellowish deposits called drusen will form underneath the retina. 

An excess of drusen is a telling sign that a person may have macular degeneration. Drusen cut off oxygen to your eye and may contribute to a thinning of the macula, the part of your retina that is responsible for giving you a clear line of sight. It’s this thinning of the macula that causes the damaged or lost vision characteristic of macular degeneration.

While macular generation is associated with aging, the cause of its onset is still unknown. Research indicates other additional hereditary and environmental factors risk factors including:

• Family history
• Cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure may place additional stress on the blood vessels, accelerating the development of vision loss
• Smoking will triple the risk of developing macular degeneration
• Elevated serum lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides) have been associated with an increased risk of macular degeneration
• Complement factor H is a marker of inflammation, and abnormalities in this gene have been linked to macular degeneration
• Excessive exposure to sunlight is a risk factor for eye disease, be sure to wear sunglasses or hats to protect your eyes from harmful rays
• And more 

Research has shown that proper diet, exercise, and maintaining your overall health can lower your risk of developing macular degeneration. However, age still plays a role, as the odds of developing this disease are even greater once you reach 75 years of age. 

What is dry macular degeneration?

Macular degeneration can often develop in two forms: dry (atrophic) or wet (exudative). The difference between wet vs dry macular degeneration is in the severity. Dry macular degeneration is the most common type of macular degeneration and is not as serious. About 85-90% of patients who develop macular degeneration develop the dry form. Most will experience minimal vision loss and excess development of large, soft drusen in the retina. The dry form can worsen over time if not seen by a specialist, and can result in the loss of central vision. 

Can dry macular degeneration be treated? 

There are currently no treatments that cure dry macular degeneration. However, clinical trials are currently being done for potential treatments. Dry macular degeneration treatment breakthroughs include stem cell therapies, an injection of the drug Apl-2, an oral antibiotic called Oracea, and an anti-inflammatory drug called Metformin. Most of these potential treatments are in phases two or three of their research and may not be available until for several more years.

What is wet macular degeneration?

Wet macular degeneration is the less common yet more serious type to develop. In the wet stage of macular degeneration, new blood vessels begin to form underneath the retina (choroidal neovascularization). Unfortunately, these new blood vessels often lead to blood or fluid leakage in the retina where vision can become distorted. In this stage, consulting a doctor is crucial. A good tool for identifying any changes in your vision is the macular degeneration amsler grid, a self-administered test in which straight lines will appear distorted if there is fluid underneath your retina. 

Can wet macular degeneration be treated? 

Similar to the dry form, treatment for wet macular degeneration has not been established yet. The best way to treat wet macular degeneration is to prevent the disease before it happens. This can be done with injections, laser procedures, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If caught late, these treatment options will help manage the side effects of wet macular degeneration.

Additional wet vs. dry macular degeneration FAQs 

Which is worse, dry or wet macular degeneration? 

Wet macular degeneration is more serious and is the leading cause of permanent central vision loss. Though the dry type is less serious, it can lead to the wet type if not monitored closely by a doctor. 

How often does dry macular degeneration turn into wet? 

About 1-in-10 people who suffer from dry macular degeneration will eventually develop wet macular degeneration. Though not as common, it’s still possible, so be sure to visit your eye doctor regularly if you already have dry macular degeneration.

How can I avoid macular degeneration?

Even if you aren’t experiencing any symptoms of macular degeneration, early prevention is your best chance at stopping or slowing down the disease. Luckily, the prevention tips are easy to follow — see your eye doctor regularly, prioritize diet and exercise, don’t smoke, take vitamins, or consider other types of prevention therapy as recommended by your doctor. 

Spot the signs early, save your eyesight: Contact Eye Center of Texas today.

If you are over the age of 50 and notice some of the signs and symptoms of macular degeneration like worsening eyesight, blurred vision, etc. we recommend you visit our retina specialist here at Eye Center of Texas. 

We are here to help answer any questions you may have regarding wet vs. dry macular degeneration, eye health tips, and more. 

Spotting macular degeneration early can help to avoid vision loss in the future. Give us a call at 713-797-1010 or request an appointment online today. 

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Why concern yourself with macular degeneration prevention if you don’t have the condition? While it is possible to stop or slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration once you’ve been diagnosed, there is currently no cure if you’re diagnosed with AMD. 

In other words, once you have AMD, you’ll want to make permanent changes to your lifestyle habits to slow down the progression of the disease. If you don’t, then you may eventually suffer drastic loss of vision. 

Luckily for those concerned about macular degeneration, prevention tips are simple to follow. A little education on macular degeneration causes and prevention can go a long way. Let’s break down a few easy-to-follow macular degeneration prevention tips now.

Need a review of the causes, signs, symptoms, and treatments of macular degeneration? Check out our article: What is Macular Degeneration?

Tip #1: Don’t skip your eye exams

At the top of our list of macular degeneration prevention tips is making sure that you schedule and go to regular eye exams. While eye exams won’t exactly prevent macular degeneration, they can give you the opportunity to catch the diseases early and prevent the disease from progressing. During an eye exam, your doctor will look for the initial signs of macular degeneration. If spotted, you can immediately begin AMD treatment recommendations and as a result, slow down its progression.

The frequency of regular eye exams should increase as you age, with those over the age of 50 attending an eye exam at least once every one to two years. 

Think you might be showing signs of macular degeneration? Check out our article on how to self-test using the Amsler grid screening test.

Tip #2: Take your vitamins

Whether or not you’ve been diagnosed with AMD, some vitamins may help delay the onset or s progression of the disease. But if you’re wondering, “What vitamin can you take to help prevent macular degeneration?” — that’s not exactly how this tip works.

According to studies, including this Harvard macular degeneration study, a simple (yet high-dosed) vitamin cocktail that includes vitamins such as vitamins A, E, and C can slow the progression of macular degeneration. However, taking a consistently high dosage of these vitamins has not been shown to prevent the disease from setting in altogether. Many doctors would even recommend a better diet over a surplus of vitamins (prior to a diagnosis).

Tip #3: Quit smoking

Smoking can negatively impact your body in more than ways, but many people don’t realize that smoking can impact your vision, as well. In fact, smoking is considered one of the leading causes of macular degeneration and a major contributing factor of its progression; Research shows that smokers are 2 to 5 times more likely to succumb to macular degeneration than non-smokers are. In other words, if you want to prevent or slow down AMD, then make this macular degeneration prevention tip one of your top priorities. 

Tip #4: Improve your diet and exercise

Similar to smoking, those with a poor diet and lack of an exercise routine are more susceptible to macular degeneration. A poor diet can lead to issues with your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol — all of which can negatively impact eye health. Couple these issues with little-to-no exercise and you’re considered to be 2 to 3 times more likely to suffer from AMD. Long story short, if you include more greens and walking in your life, macular degeneration will be less likely to pop up.

The American Macular Degeneration Foundation (AMDF) has created a guide to eating right for your eye health, including information on macular degeneration foods to avoid. Eye Center of Texas has also published a guide to the best foods for eye health (originally geared toward diabetics, but applicable to all patients).   

Tip #5: Consider drug therapy

As a treatment option for wet macular degeneration, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) inhibitors have been shown to significantly help prevent the progression of AMD. In some cases, VEGF inhibitors have even helped those suffering from wet AMD recover some of their lost vision. These particular drugs are used to reduce swelling, as well as the formation of new blood vessels (both of which are issues that can negatively impact your macula and lead to further vision loss). 

VEGF inhibitors have shown to cause other health issues, so it’s important to speak with your doctor and weigh all your options before beginning this macular degeneration treatment option.

Want more help than macular degeneration prevention tips? Contact Eye Center of Texas.

These 5 macular degeneration prevention tips can help prevent and slow down AMD’s progression. However, comprehensive treatment of macular degeneration requires routine appointments with your eye doctor and consistent improvements with your lifestyle choices and habits.

AMD is a common eye disease that many people struggle with on a daily basis. If your eyesight is getting worse, if you’re over the age of 50, or if eye disease runs in the family, the time to take preventative action is now. 

At Eye Center of Texas, you can speak with a leading retina specialist in Houston and get expert help maintaining your eye vision for as long as possible. We are here to answer your macular degeneration questions, from, “What is the best treatment for macular degeneration?” to clarification regarding dry vs. wet macular degeneration. 

Call us at 713-797-1010 or fill out our online form to request an appointment today. 

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Since there is currently no cure for the disease, catching the signs of macular degeneration can be critical for the future of your vision. If you watch for the early signs of macular degeneration, it might be possible to slow down the progression of this particular eye disease. 

Your susceptibility to this disease grows as you age, and it is becoming increasingly common for those over the age of 70 to be diagnosed with some degree of macular degeneration. In fact, as far as common vision problems go, macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of vision loss in older adults.

Before we cover the early signs of macular degeneration, we will quickly review the various causes and types of this eye disease. We also cover this information more in-depth in our article, What is Macular Degeneration? If you are already familiar with this information, simply skip directly to the early signs of macular degeneration. 

What is the main cause of macular degeneration?

The exact cause of macular degeneration is unknown. However, as mentioned previously, your susceptibility to macular degeneration increases as you age, so in some sense, aging is considered a main cause of the disease. 

There are other factors that can make you even more susceptible. These factors can include:

• Lifestyle habits such as smoking and lack of exercise
• Gender, as women may be more at risk
• Family genes. 

If you fall under any of these categories, then you will want to monitor for the signs of macular degeneration regularly. 

The cause of the physical symptoms of macular degeneration is the wearing down of the central part of your retina. The retina is made of tissue at the back of your eye and is composed of light-sensitive cells (called rods and cones). When these become worn down you begin to experience vision loss, especially central vision loss.  

What are the different types of macular degeneration?

There are two types of macular degeneration: dry macular generation (non-neovascular) and wet macular degeneration (neovascular).

What you should know about dry macular degeneration:

• The most common type of macular degeneration
• Not as serious as wet macular degeneration
• Minimal vision loss typically experienced
• Development of drusen (small yellow or white spots on the retina) upon accumulation of waste products

What you should know about wet macular degeneration:

• The more serious (albeit the less common) type of macular degeneration
• Leads to the formation of new blood vessels causing fluids or blood to leak into the retina
• Vision might appear wavy or distorted

FAQ: Are floaters a symptom of macular degeneration? 

Typically, no. The spots in your vision created by macular degeneration can be confused with floaters but, with the exception of late-stage wet macular degeneration, macular degeneration itself rarely causes floaters. 

What are the common signs of macular degeneration?

With macular degeneration, your vision will generally gradually become less clear and more blurry. Day-to-day life and activities like driving, using your smartphone, reading, and even recognizing people may feel difficult or problematic. Here, we break down the common signs of macular degeneration a little further. 

Difficulty adapting to changing light

If you have trouble with lighting changes, this may be a sign of macular degeneration. With this particular sign, you may have issues with levels of light suddenly changing. For example, if you go from a dark room to a light room (or vice versa), your eyes might struggle to adapt. You may also have issues performing simple tasks without a high level of light present.

Issues with depth, color, and texture perception

This particular sign of macular degeneration can affect you in a variety of ways — all of which can be somewhat dangerous given the situation. In this case, you may have trouble judging how close or far away something is. You may also have trouble judging similar colors or textures. In both cases, you can be more susceptible to falling or tripping.

Spotted vision

Macular degeneration can also come with dark spotting in your line of vision. This might present itself as just a blurry spot or it could be a dark or shadow-like blurry spot.

Overall blurring

While you may have a blurry spot in your line of vision, you could just have altogether blurrier vision. This could mean difficulty trying to recognize faces, reading books or labels, or using digital devices.

Macular degeneration treatment

Once macular degeneration sets in, you can’t get rid of it; there is no cure. So if you’re over the age of 50 and notice that your eyesight is getting worse or other signs of macular degeneration, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with a retina specialist in Houston. Spot it early, and you can avoid additional vision loss.

Macular degeneration treatments for helping you to reduce further damage and, in the case of wet macular degeneration, manage side effects.

Treatment options for dry macular degeneration:

• Nutritional supplements
• Sunglasses (eye protection)
• Healthy lifestyle choices
• Monitoring blood pressure and cholesterol

Treatment options for wet macular degeneration:

• Injections directly into the eye
• Laser procedures
• Healthy lifestyle choices

Many of these treatments boil down to simply doing right by your body. Keep in mind, however, that many of these treatments can help prevent macular degeneration as well.

Detect signs of macular degeneration early at  Eye Center of Texas

Eye Center of Texas is home to some of the most skilled Houston ophthalmologists. We have experience detecting and treating macular degeneration, and we help hundreds of Texans protect and correct their vision every year. 

If you think you’re experiencing signs of macular degeneration or if you’d like more information on this common eye disease, schedule an appointment today or give us a call at 713-797-1010.

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While there is no cure for Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), there are steps you can take to help reduce your risk of progression.

Monitor your vision weekly.
Use an Amsler grid, a tool that helps you monitor subtle changes in your central vision. Some forms of AMD can progress very quickly. Monitoring your vision weekly can help you notice any changes. If you do notice changes, talk to your eye doctor immediately.
Keep your eye doctor appointments.
Experts recommend a comprehensive eye exam at least once a year for everyone. Some changes in vision may be best detected by an eye care professional, so it’s important to keep your eye appointments, as directed.
If you smoke, quit.
We know it’s not easy. But stopping smoking may be the most important thing you can do to help reduce your risk of AMD progression. Consider creating a plan to stop smoking that is tailored specifically to your needs and habit.
Maintain your overall health.                                                                                                                                                        High cholesterol and blood pressure can increase your risk of AMD.  Try to exercise for 30 minutes a few times a week. Consult your doctor before starting any exercise routine.  Strive for a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, particularly dark, leafy greens.  Get your blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked.
Consider low-vision aids.
Many people with AMD may also benefit from the help of low-vision aids, devices designed to help people with low vision function better, such as handheld magnifiers.

February is National Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) /Low Vision Awareness Month.  Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss for individuals age 50 and older. Macular degeneration is a progressive, usually painless disease that affects the macula, the spot on the retina at the back of the eye responsible for central vision, causing central vision to blur, but leaving peripheral vision intact. In its earliest stages, AMD can be difficult to diagnose. In some cases, AMD progresses so slowly that many do not notice a change in their vision. In other cases, the deterioration is very rapid and can appear to happen overnight.

There are two major types of AMD, a “dry” and a “wet” form. The dry form is the early stage and is the most common form of AMD. There is usually little or no vision loss during this stage although there are exceptions with some people having significant vision loss from more advanced “dry” degeneration. The wet form is a late stage of the condition and affects about 10 percent of all people with the condition. Wet AMD accounts for the majority of central vision loss due to AMD.

The wet stage is when abnormal blood vessels start to grow beneath the center of the macula and, as they grow, they leak fluid or blood and cause central vision loss with blurring and distortion of vision. Untreated, these abnormal blood vessels typically will grow relatively large and eventually cause scarring with permanent and often severe central vision loss.

February is National Heart Disease Awareness Month and Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Low Vision Awareness Month.
Some of the same things that put you at risk for heart disease and stroke also put you at risk for AMD.  These include:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Obesity
• Smoking

The good news is that you can lower your blood pressure and cholesterol to reduce your risk of heart disease and AMD by:

• Consult a doctor; follow their instructions and stay on your medications.
• Eat a healthy diet that is low in salt; low in total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol; and full of fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Take a brisk 10-minute walk, 3 times a day, 5 days a week.
• Don’t smoke and if you do smoke…quit!!!

Macular degeneration is a progressive eye condition affecting as many as 15 million Americans and millions more around the world. The disease attacks the macula of the eye, where our sharpest central vision occurs. Although it rarely results in complete blindness, it robs the individual of all but the outermost, peripheral vision, leaving only dim images or black holes at the center of vision.

AMD is the leading cause of severe vision loss in adults over the age 50. Although anyone can get AMD, caucasians are at higher risk than other races and women tend to develop AMD at an earlier age than men. There are several other risk factors for the onset of Age-related Macular Degeneration:

• Smoking
• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol

In the early stages, AMD doesn’t have any symptoms. However, there are complications that a patient should be aware of that become noticeable as the condition progresses. These include:

• Straight lines begin to appear out of shape
• Dark or white blurry areas appear in the center of vision
• Change or decline color perception

With no cure for Age-related Macular Degeneration, the best defense against the eye disease is early detection. As always, it is important for eye care patients to get annual comprehensive eye exams.

Macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic eye disease associated with aging that gradually destroys central vision. It is one of the leading causes of legal blindness and vision impairment in older Americans. AMD affects central vision, but not peripheral vision – therefore, it doesn’t cause total blindness. The progression of AMD can be slow or rapid, but the deterioration of central vision generally occurs over a period of a few years.

There are two types of AMD, dry and wet. The dry form occurs in approximately 90 percent of those with AMD. The wet form only occurs in 10 percent of those with AMD, but it accounts for 90 percent of all severe vision loss from the disease. “Wet” is a chronic condition with no cure, but it can be treated with photodynamic therapy (PDT), conventional laser, and anti – VEGF medication treatments, or combination therapies.

Like other chronic diseases, wet AMD requires that people with the condition take an active role in monitoring their symptoms. The Amsler grid is a safe and simple, self-administered screening test used to evaluate possible problem areas in the macular.

Test each eye separately. Cover the eye that you are not using
· Keep the grid about 14 inches away
· Look directly at the dot in the center of the grid
· If you normally wear glasses, do so while looking at the grid

Repeat this test on your other eye. If you notice blurry or wavy lines, and dark or blank spots you may have a vision problem in the eye and you should call your eye doctor.

Early detection and treatment are the best defense of losing your vision.

Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a chronic eye disease associated with aging that gradually destroys central vision. Itʼs one of the leading causes of legal blindness and vision impairment in older Americans. AMD affects central vision, but not peripheral vision – therefore, it doesn’t cause total blindness. The progression of AMD can be slow or rapid, but the deterioration of central vision generally occurs over a period of a few years.  Pain is not associated with AMD, but if you experience any of the following conditions make an eye appointment right away:

• Straight lines appear wavy
• Difficulty seeing at a distance
• Decreased ability to distinguish colors
• Inability to see details, such as faces or words in a book
• Dark or empty spots block the center of your vision

Although the exact cause of Macular Degeneration is unknown, several studies have shown the following are more at risk:

• People age 50 and older
• People with hypertension
• People who smoke
• People with a family history of AMD

There are two types of AMD: “dry” and “wet”: The “dry” form of Macular Degeneration occurs in approximately 90 percent of those with AMD. Studies have found that high levels of zinc and antioxidants play a key role in slowing the few specific forms of “wet” macular degeneration.
Early detection and treatment are the best defense against losing your vision.