Millions of people deal with age-related macular degeneration as they get older, but many don’t understand the difference between types of the condition or what they can do to lessen the effects. Dr. Sophie Bakri, a Mayo Clinic ophthalmologist and retina specialist, explains the differences between wet macular degeneration and dry macular degeneration.
What you need to know about dry macular degeneration
You’re getting older and notice you’re not seeing as well. You try out readers, but everything just seems blurry. And straight lines seem wavy.
It could be age-related macular degeneration.
“The macula is the center of the retina,” Dr. Bakri says. “The retina is the camera of the eye that receives the light impulses and processes them, and the macula is responsible for the really fine visual acuity, the right precise vision.”
Dr. Bakri says there are two kinds of macular degeneration: wet and dry.
“The dry kind usually comes on first, and when we look in the retina of the dry kind, we see those little rocklike deposits under the retina,” she explains. “Sometimes we see areas of atrophy where the cells are not present or not really working as well.”
For dry macular degeneration, there are over-the-counter vitamins that can help, but mostly Dr. Bakri says a Mediterranean diet and exercise are the best things you can do for symptoms.
“The wet type is usually in the later stages when a blood vessel has grown under the retina and is leaking blood or fluid. And the No. 1 goal is to shut down that blood vessel to prevent it bleeding even more and to prevent patients losing more vision.”
Dr. Bakri says that for wet macular degeneration, you’ll likely need to see a retina specialist for a treatment plan that includes regular eye injections.
‘Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network.’[/vc_message]
Disclaimer
The information contained in South Florida Reporter is for general information purposes only.
The South Florida Reporter assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the contents of the Service.
In no event shall the South Florida Reporter be liable for any special, direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages or any damages whatsoever, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other tort, arising out of or in connection with the use of the Service or the contents of the Service. The Company reserves the right to make additions, deletions, or modifications to the contents of the Service at any time without prior notice.
The Company does not warrant that the Service is free of viruses or other harmful components
