Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is the most common cause of vision loss in the United States. It usually affects people over the age of 65 but can occasionally strike earlier. The macula is the most sensitive part of your retina. The retina lines the back of the eye like film in a camera. In macular degeneration the central vision gradually deteriorates and in the worst cases there is a blank area in the center of vision leaving one with only peripheral vision.
The underlying causes of macular degeneration are still being worked out. We do know that people are at increased risk if they have advancing age, a family history of macular degeneration, smoke cigarettes, and have cardiovascular disease. We also believe that not wearing eye protection such as sunglasses when outdoors and a poor diet increase ones risk of developing macular degeneration. Those with the disease should also monitor their vision with an amsler grid on a daily basis and notify their doctor immediately if it changes. See the distorted Amsler grid to the left.
We recommend that everyone over the age of 60 have annual dilated eye exams to check for signs of this common disease. If you have been diagnosed already you need to be checked every six months.
We do have treatments for macular degeneration but the emphasis should and is on prevention.
Prevention methods:
- Wear sunglasses
- Take a multivitamin every day is recommended
- Eat a healthy diet rich in green leafy vegetables and carrots
Recent research shows that Omega 3 fatty acids may prevent macular degeneration by 35%. If you have been diagnosed with macular degeneration you should be taking Vitamins according to the AREDS study. This study showed that if you take the right vitamins and have macular degeneration, you can reduce your chances of vision loss by about 30% .
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More About the Doctors at Clavenna Vision Institute
The Clavenna Vision Institute features some of the most highly skilled and knowledgeable eye surgeons in Michigan. With several years of experience treating a wide range of vision and eye problems, Drs. Clavenna and Fitzgerald provide top-quality care and remarkable results that improve the visual acuity and overall health of their patients’ eyes. At their state-of-the-art Troy / Birmingham LASIK and cataracts facility, they are deeply committed to helping all their laser vision correction and cataract surgery Birmingham / Troy patients achieve their desired results and once again enjoy the benefits of clear eyesight.