Retina Health Center: Comprehensive Macular Degeneration Treatment in Fort Myers & Naples
Macular degeneration is a common eye disorder that slowly damages a person’s central vision. It is currently the top cause for vision loss in people over age 55, but advances in treatment for macular degeneration offer hope for many patients. The macula is located near the center of the eye’s retina. It is part of the inside back layer of the eyeball and helps to convert light and images into our central vision. Activities such as reading, recognizing faces, and driving become difficult when the macula becomes damaged, which may reduce a person’s quality of life.
macular degeneration becomes more prevalent. Fortunately, there is research underway to determine more effective ways to prevent this disease and develop improved options like the dry macular degeneration treatment and wet macular degeneration treatment available at our center. The physicians at the Retina Health Center follow new developments closely.
In fact, the Retina Health Center has founded the Macular Degeneration Research Center, located in Fort Myers, which focuses on research and new technologies to treat macular degeneration. The Macular Degeneration Research Center has been chosen to participate in several national studies on macular degeneration.
Both Dr. Alexander M. Eaton and Dr. Hussein Wafapoor have worked with researchers at other major academic centers to be investigators in ongoing FDA trials of new treatments for dry macular degeneration as well as wet macular degeneration. Please read on for additional information on macular degeneration, or contact us today if you would like to schedule an appointment.
Where is the macula and what is its role in your vision?
The eye works like a camera. Light entering the eye is focused by the cornea and the crystalline lens to form an image on the retina. The retina sends the image through the optic nerve to the brain. The largest part of the retina is the peripheral retina, which provides your side vision. The macula is the retina’s central portion, which provides close-up vision needed for detailed activities such as reading fine print or threading a needle. Although tiny, the macula is a hundred times more sensitive to detail than the peripheral retina. When the central portion of the retina, the macula, is damaged, macular degeneration occurs, necessitating both timely diagnosis and tailored treatment for macular degeneration to preserve vision.
Understanding the role of the macula in your eye health is essential for early detection and intervention. A quick diagnosis and the right macular degeneration specialist near you can help prevent the progression of dry macular degeneration and wet macular degeneration.
What are the symptoms?
Most people who develop macular degeneration begin to notice problems with their eyesight after age 50. Typically, only one eye is affected initially, so you may not be immediately aware of the changes. Common symptoms include blurry text while reading, difficulty with distance vision, and objects appearing different sizes or colors in each eye. Patients also report dark spots in their vision, and objects such as Venetian blinds, trees, or telephone poles can appear to be bent or crooked.
Three forms of macular degeneration:
Dry Macular Degeneration
Dry macular degeneration accounts for nearly 85 percent of all forms of macular degeneration and is caused by the loss of cells in the retina and/or the buildup of deposits known as drusen. In some people, these spots on the retina lead to vision loss. Others may have dry macular degeneration for many years without any symptoms. Therefore, early detection and careful monitoring are crucial to maintaining good vision.
Early intervention and regular eye exams can help slow the progression of dry macular degeneration. Our macular degeneration specialists in Fort Myers and Naples are equipped with the latest diagnostic tools to ensure your condition is managed effectively.
Wet Macular Degeneration
Wet macular degeneration occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina and leak fluid, causing damage to the macula. This form of macular degeneration is more aggressive and can lead to severe vision loss if left untreated. Treatments such as injections and laser therapy are used to manage this condition.
Pigment Epithelial Detachment
Another form of wet macular degeneration, known as pigment epithelial detachment (PED), involves the accumulation of fluid beneath the retina, contributing to vision impairment. Wet macular degeneration treatment in Fort Myers and Naples includes therapies specifically tailored for PED patients.
Preventing Macular Degeneration
Although there is not yet a definitive cure for macular degeneration, research has revealed preventive measures and effective treatments, like those provided at Retina Health Center. Sunglasses that block ultraviolet and blue light seem to limit the progression of the disease. Recent research has also proven that vitamins and minerals can slow down the progression of macular degeneration. The antioxidant vitamins C and E, lutein, and the mineral zinc are important to your visual health. Please check with your eye doctor to see which is right for you. It’s also important to consult your medical doctor to make sure that vitamins will not affect any conditions you have or medications you take. Taking the right vitamins, combined with early intervention through the best treatment for macular degeneration, can significantly improve outcomes, and the Retina Health Center has a full line of vitamins to meet your needs. Finally, general good health is important. There is growing scientific evidence to show that people with a healthy cardiovascular system are likely to have a reduced risk of macular degeneration. On the other hand, a poor diet, smoking,g and lack of exercise can contribute to its development.
Lifestyle changes, including regular exercise, a healthy diet, and avoiding smoking, can reduce the risk of macular degeneration. Our macular degeneration specialists can provide personalized advice to help you maintain eye health.
Confirming the Macular Degeneration Diagnosis
If you are diagnosed with macular degeneration, confirm your condition through special tests to identify whether your case would benefit from dry macular degeneration treatment or wet macular degeneration treatment. When your doctor detects symptoms of wet macular degeneration, a special test called an angiogram and/or optical coherence tomography may be ordered. There are two types of angiograms, both requiring an injection of dye into your arm. The dye travels throughout the body and, as it passes through your eye, photographs are taken. These photographs allow your doctor to determine the presence and severity of the macular degeneration.
The Amsler Grid
The Amsler Grid Test is an effective means of alerting you to changes in your vision. While wearing your reading glasses, cover one eye and look directly at the center dot of the grid, which you can find to the right of this text. Keeping your eye focused firmly on the dot, be sure that all the lines are straight and all the squares are the same size. Do this for each eye. If any area on the grid becomes blurred, distorted, or otherwise abnormal, notify us immediately. Check Your Vision
Amsler’s Chart to Test Your Sight
Treatment for Macular Degeneration
There are several options for treating wet macular degeneration, including injections such as lucentis, eylea, laser therapy, and surgery, with each offering proven results for patients seeking a cure for macular degeneration. Because we at the Retina Health Center have been actively involved in the research leading to the approval and adaptation of many of these medications and treatments, your physician has the experience to help you decide which of the treatment options is best for you.
At Retina Health Center, we are committed to staying at the forefront of treatment for macular degeneration. Whether it’s addressing early signs with specialized dry macular degeneration treatment or utilizing advanced therapies for wet macular degeneration treatment, our experienced team provides comprehensive care to protect your vision.
Our clinic in Fort Myers and Naples offers cutting-edge treatments for both wet macular degeneration and dry macular degeneration. We are committed to providing the best care tailored to each patient’s needs.
- Eye Injections -The most common treatment for macular degeneration involves injections of medication into the eye. While this may sound unpleasant, most patients feel little or no pain, thanks to anesthetics. Drs. Eaton and Wafapoor of Retina Health Center have also collaborated with researchers to invent a device specifically designed to improve patient safety and comfort during the administration of eye injections. The device, developed in 2012, incorporates a small-gauge needle that is covered by a thin protective sleeve, which is designed to protect the needle from contamination risks before and during the injection, such as aerosolized saliva droplets from speech or breathing, as well as from the eyelids or other external contaminants. The most effective medications available are Lucentis and Avastin, which can be used for the treatment of macular degeneration. Lucentis has been found to significantly improve vision in up to 40 percent of people with wet macular degeneration.
- Laser Treatment – When abnormal blood vessel growth is discovered early, laser treatment may be used to prevent further bleeding and deter future growth, helping to preserve vision. By applying laser light to the vessels involved in wet macular degeneration treatment, bleeding can be controlled, and vision can be preserved effectively.
- Surgical treatment – The use of surgery is becoming less frequent due to the development and availability of medications like Lucentis, Eylea, and Avastin.
If you are searching for the best treatment for macular degeneration, our dedicated physicians and cutting-edge research aim to deliver personalized care options tailored to your unique condition.
FAQs
What is macular degeneration, and how does it affect vision?
Macular degeneration is a condition that damages the macula, a part of the retina responsible for central vision. It affects activities like reading and driving. Early diagnosis and treatment for macular degeneration are crucial to preserving vision. Contact us for personalized care.
Can macular degeneration be prevented?
While there’s no definitive cure for macular degeneration, lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet, exercise, and avoiding smoking can help reduce its risk. Regular eye check-ups can also aid in early detection. Learn more about prevention from our macular degeneration specialists.
What treatments are available for dry macular degeneration?
Dry macular degeneration treatment focuses on slowing its progression using vitamins, antioxidants, and lifestyle changes. At Retina Health Center, we provide the most advanced therapies available to manage this condition effectively.
How do I know if I need wet macular degeneration treatment?
Wet macular degeneration is more aggressive and requires treatments like injections or laser therapy. If you’re experiencing sudden vision changes, it’s essential to schedule an appointment with our macular degeneration specialist in Fort Myers to confirm the diagnosis.
Can I get the best treatment for macular degeneration in Fort Myers or Naples?
Yes, Retina Health Center provides both dry macular degeneration treatment in Fort Myers and wet macular degeneration treatment in Naples. Our specialists are committed to providing comprehensive care with the latest advancements in macular degeneration treatment.
