There are risk factors for macular degenerations that are within the control of the individual, while others are not. Controllable risk factors include being overweight, smoking, and not using eye protection when outside. Uncontrollable risk factors of macular degeneration include age, family history, light-colored irises, and far-sightedness. It is also believed women may be more susceptible to developing macular degeneration than men.

While macular degeneration does not currently have a cure, there are actions you can take to prevent it from worsening. These include maintaining a healthy weight, eating a well-balanced diet, eliminating smoking, and exercising regularly.

No, there is currently no known cure for macular degeneration. But there are treatment options that can be administered by your ophthalmologist.

Please visit a doctor if you are concerned you have AMD. With a comprehensive exam, it is usually an easy condition for our doctors to diagnose. The sooner you know you have AMD, the sooner you can begin to treat it, which should help to preserve more of your vision. (Even if you do not have AMD, determining the cause of blurry or worsening vision is important.) If you notice your vision rapidly deteriorating, this may indicate wet AMD, so schedule an appointment with your doctor promptly.

Macular degeneration develops as the age ages. While the exact cause of macular degeneration is unknown, it is likely a combination of both heredity and environmental factors.

Not all types of macular degeneration are hereditary. However, some genes have been associated with an increased risk for developing age-related macular degeneration.

The price of your macular degeneration treatment(s) depends on which treatments our doctors determine are best suited to your needs. Since AMD is an eye disease, it is covered by medical insurance plans, not vision insurance. The good news is that almost every health insurance policy includes coverage for macular degeneration since treatment is essential to preserve your eyesight. TRES VISION Group can help confirm which benefits you are entitled to.

Prior to treatment, your doctor will use eye drops to numb your eyes to avoid causing pain. Some patients find the medicated injections used to treat wet AMD to be mildly uncomfortable and feel some added pressure in the eye for a few hours.

Macular degeneration is diagnosed through a combination of clinical examinations and specialized tests. During a comprehensive eye exam, our eye doctors may perform a visual acuity test to see how well you read letters from a distance. Other crucial tests include:

• Amsler Grid: Detects central vision problems typical of macular degeneration.
• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): Provides detailed images of the retina, highlighting changes in thickness or the presence of fluids.
• Fluorescein Angiography: Uses a special dye to illuminate areas of the retina, revealing new blood vessels or retinal changes.
• Fundus Photography: Captures detailed images of the retina that helping track changes over time.

These tests help in assessing the stage of macular degeneration and guiding treatment options.

Macular degeneration primarily affects individuals over the age of 50. However, early signs can sometimes be detected in people in their 40s. There’s no age limit for treatment; it is based on the presence and severity of the disease. Treatments can vary from vitamin supplementation in early stages to more advanced therapies like injections for wet AMD as the condition progresses.

Avastin, Eylea, and Beovu are all injectable drugs used to treat wet AMD by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which reduces abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage. However, they differ in composition and dosing intervals:

• Avastin (Bevacizumab) is often used off-label for AMD and requires frequent administration, usually every four to six weeks.
• Eylea (Aflibercept) is specifically designed for eye conditions, offering longer-lasting effects that may allow for less frequent injections, typically every eight weeks after initial monthly doses.
• Beovu (Brolucizumab) is the newest among them, potentially extending the injection interval to every 12 weeks after a three-monthly loading dose, offering convenient and effective results.

Laser photocoagulation is a treatment method used primarily for certain types of wet AMD. The procedure uses a high-energy laser beam to seal off leaking blood vessels causing retinal damage. While it can help prevent further vision loss, it’s less commonly used today due to the risk of causing immediate vision reduction and the development of more advanced treatments like VEGF inhibitors. However, it may still be considered in specific cases where the leaking vessels are well-defined and away from the central macula.

Regular eye examinations are crucial for early detection and management of the condition. It’s recommended that:

• Adults aged 50 and older have a comprehensive eye exam every year or two.
• Those with a family history of AMD or other risk factors such as smoking or obesity may need more frequent exams, possibly yearly or as directed by their eye doctor.
• Individuals who have already been diagnosed with some form of AMD should follow the specific monitoring schedule recommended by their eye doctor, which might include more frequent visits to track any changes or progression of the disease.