Can Vision Loss From Macular Degeneration Be Recovered?

People living with macular degeneration can lose some or all of their central vision. This eye condition rarely affects peripheral vision. It can worsen over time. This is why it is one of the leading causes of permanent or severe loss of vision in people over 60 years of age. But if you are living with macular degeneration, you need to understand that people rarely experience a total loss of vision from it.

 

What Is Macular Degeneration?

Also referred to as age-related macular degeneration, ARMD, or AMD, this eye condition causes blurry vision over time. It affects the central area of the retina called the macula. This is the area that maintains one’s sharpest vision. It determines your ability to recognize faces, read, use digital devices, and drive. Essentially, it determines your ability to do many detailed visual tasks.

 

The CDC estimates that about 1.8 million people in the U.S. have macular degeneration. Caucasians are at higher risk of developing this condition than other races. Furthermore, women tend to develop it at an earlier age than men.

 

Forms of Macular Degeneration

There are two forms of macular degeneration. You may have wet or dry macular degeneration, also referred to as exudative or atrophic macular degeneration, respectively. However, most people with AMD have a dry form.

 

This condition does not have a specific treatment. According to studies, there may be benefits from protecting your eyes from UV light, a Mediterranean diet, quitting smoking, and taking vitamin supplements. The wet form of AMD, if detected, may respond to anti-VEGF medication injections.

 

Symptoms of AMD

In the early stages, you may not notice any symptoms of macular degeneration. But with time, you may experience a gradual loss of your ability to clearly see objects. You may also notice a loss of clear color vision or an empty/dark area in your central vision. Sometimes, straight lines may appear crooked or wavy. Also, when you look at objects, they may appear somewhat distorted.

 

Causes of Macular Degeneration

According to eye care professionals, some of the most common risk factors and causes of AMD include:

 

• Overexposure to UV light
   

• Heredity
   

• Smoking
   

• Lack of exercise
   

• Poor nutrition
  
   

Can You Recover Your Vision?

There is no cure for this eye condition. However, some treatments may improve your vision or delay the progression of AMD. Your treatment will depend on whether your condition is in its early stages or more advanced stage.

 

There is no FDA-approved treatment for dry macular degeneration. However, nutritional supplements with antioxidant vitamins may prevent dry AMD from progressing to the more serious wet AMD.

 

If you have wet AMD, the purpose of most treatments is to stop or shrink the growth of abnormal blood vessels in your eye. This will prevent or reduce the leakage of fluid into your retina.

 

According to eye care professionals, some treatments may improve vision in individuals with AMD. Some of these include implantable telescopes, cataract removal, and the use of low vision devices.


 

To learn more about macular degeneration or to schedule an appointment, call Primary Eye Care in Tupelo, Mississippi at (662) 200-9842 today.