Effingham Eye Care

Call or Text

Call or Text

912-826-3949

Open mobile navigation
  • Home
  • New Patient Center
    • Online Forms
    • Payment Options
  • Eyecare Services
    • Eye & Vision Exams
    • Contact Lens Exams
    • Lasik Eye Surgery
    • Hard to Fit Contacts
    • Computer Vision
    • Sunglasses
  • Frame Selection
  • Meet The Doctors
  • Our Optical
  • Myopic Control
  • Pay My Bill
  • Contact Us
  • Community Content
    • Common Eye Conditions
      • Age-Related
      • Cognitive and Acquired
      • Vision Impairment
      • Injury & Irritation
      • Eye Lids
      • Changes in Appearance
    • Contact Lenses
    • Eye Diseases
    • Eyeglasses
      • Eyeglass Lenses
    • Eye Symptoms
    • How the Eyes Work
      • Basic Visual Skills
    • Pediatric Vision
    • Protecting Your Eyes
    • Visual Rehabilitation
    • Vision Problems
    • What is Vision Therapy
    • Vision Therapy Programs
    • We Can Help With
      • Cataracts
      • Corneal Disorders
        • Disorders
      • Glaucoma
      • Refractive Disorders
      • Adult Strabismus
      • Retinal Disorders
    • Newsletters
      • Glasses & Frames
      • Contacts
      • Tips for Healthy Eyes
      • Conditions That Affect Vision
      • Kid's Vision
      • Amazing, Interesting Eyes
      • Medical Perspectives
  • Care Credit
  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Newsletters >
  • Conditions That Affect Vision >
  • Curbing Macular Degeneration

Curbing Macular Degeneration

  • Created in Newsletters, Conditions That Affect Vision
Image of old man at the computer.

Macular degeneration represents one of the most significant causes of vision loss in older adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 1.8 million people currently suffer from macular degeneration, with an additional 7.3 million people at risk of developing this condition. Understanding the causes of and treatments for macular degeneration allow you to receive the optometry care needed to curb the incidence and progression of this disease.

What Is Macular Degeneration?

Dry macular degeneration is a chronic eye disease in which the macula, a portion of the retina, deteriorates. When light enters the eye, it hits the retina, which lies on the back of the eyeball. Neural signaling from cells in the retina allows us to see clearly. If the macula degenerates, it cannot transmit visual signals to the brain, leading to blurred vision or a blind spot in the central portion of the visual field. A less common form of the disease, called wet macular degeneration, occurs when blood vessels behind the retina leak fluid, causing changes in central vision.

Curbing Macular Degeneration

Certain characteristics put individuals at a higher risk of developing macular degeneration. Being Caucasian, growing older, and having a family history of macular degeneration are strong risk factors outside of your control. Other risk factors, such as obesity, smoking, poor diet, cardiovascular disease, and high cholesterol can be modified through lifestyle change.

To prevent macular degeneration, optometrists recommend incorporating healthy fruits and vegetables into your diet, reducing caloric intake to manage your weight, quitting smoking, increasing physical activity, and reducing your consumption of saturated and trans fats to lower your cholesterol. Your doctor can help you construct a healthy diet and lifestyle plan to reduce your risk.

Currently, dry macular degeneration is irreversible. However, it often progresses slowly and certain treatments may reduce the rate of progression. Annual visits to the optometrist to receive an eye exam are essential to monitoring the condition. Your eye doctor may recommend taking supplements, as high levels of vitamins A, C, and E as well as zinc and copper may reduce the progression of macular degeneration. Increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids and lutein may also help, although more research is needed to confirm the efficacy of these treatments.

Treatment for wet macular degeneration may include injection of prescription medications, photodynamic therapy, or laser treatment to destroy abnormal blood vessels and prevent new vessel growth. In very advanced cases of macular degeneration, an optometrist may recommend surgery to implant a telescopic lens in one eye.

Sources:

American Health Assistance Foundation (2012). Macular degeneration research: About macular degeneration.
Mayo Clinic (2012): Macular degeneration.

  • Common Eye Conditions
    • Age-Related
    • Cognitive and Acquired
    • Vision Impairment
    • Injury & Irritation
    • Eye Lids
    • Changes in Appearance
  • Contact Lenses
  • Eye Diseases
  • Eyeglasses
    • Eyeglass Lenses
  • Eye Symptoms
  • How the Eyes Work
    • Basic Visual Skills
  • Pediatric Vision
  • Protecting Your Eyes
  • Visual Rehabilitation
  • Vision Problems
  • What is Vision Therapy
  • Vision Therapy Programs
  • We Can Help With
    • Cataracts
    • Corneal Disorders
      • Disorders
    • Glaucoma
    • Refractive Disorders
    • Adult Strabismus
    • Retinal Disorders
  • Newsletters
    • Glasses & Frames
    • Contacts
    • Tips for Healthy Eyes
    • Conditions That Affect Vision
    • Kid's Vision
    • Amazing, Interesting Eyes
    • Medical Perspectives

Contact Us

We look forward to hearing from you.

Featured Links

Click to find out more

  • Online Forms

    Our patient forms are available online so they can be completed in the convenience of your own home or office.

  • Services

    We strive to provide complete care for our patients. Learn more about all the services we provide.

Hours of Operation

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am-1:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Location

Find us on the map

Read Our Reviews

  • "I’ve been going to Dr. Anderson for over five years now and even though I only see him once a year for my annual exam, he and his staff always make me feel very welcome and take care of all my eye care needs. Anderson Optometry is the best at what they do and make you feel right at home."

Featured Articles

Read up on informative topics

    February Newsletter: Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Awareness Month

    Do you know how age-related macular degeneration could affect your vision? ...

    Read More

    February Newsletter: Why Dry Eye Is So Difficult to Treat

    Are dry eyes a frequent problem? Try these tips. ...

    Read More

    January Newsletter: How to Tell if You Have Macular Degeneration

    Do you know the symptoms that may mean you have macular degeneration? ...

    Read More

    January Newsletter: Glaucoma FAQs

    Got a few questions about glaucoma? ...

    Read More

    December Newsletter: Don't Over-Indulge this Holiday Season - Your Eyes Will Thank You

    Could changing your holiday eating habits help you protect your vision? ...

    Read More

    December Newsletter: Delicious Recipies that Are Healthy for Your Eyes

    Protect your vision with eye-healthy recipes. ...

    Read More

    November Newsletter: 5 signs that could be caused by diabetic retinopathy

    These vision problems could spell trouble if you have diabetes. ...

    Read More

    November Newsletter: Diabetic eye disease awareness month

    Do you know how diabetic eye diseases can affect your vision? ...

    Read More

    Your Blurry Vision Could Be Caused by Astigmatism

    Wondering why your vision is blurry? A vision problem called astigmatism may be to blame. ...

    Read More

    Dry Eyes? Blepharitis Could Be to Blame

    Are your eyes dry and uncomfortable? You may have blepharitis. ...

    Read More

Newsletter Signup

Sign up for more articles

Social Media

  • Copyright © 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix.
  • Admin Log In
  • Site Map