Macular Degeneration

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Macula is a region of the retina at the back of the eye that is responsible for sharp, central vision, which lets us see objects clearly in front of us.

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Macular degeneration causes damage to the macula region which will lead to a gradual loss of central vision. It commonly occurs in people over 50 years old and also in people with high myopia (more than -6.00 D). In some eyes, vision loss can be very quick and sudden.

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There are 2 main types of macular degeneration, dry and wet. The dry form normally involves varying degrees of deposits in the macular region, and vision loss is minimal. The wet form typically involves hemorrhages and large deposits in the macular region, adn vision loss can be severe if left untreated.

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At Central Eye Care, our comprehensive eye exam includes a dilated pupil exam to look at the macula of your eyes. Any suspect of deposits or hemorrhages will be followed by an Amsler test, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) will be recommened to accurately identify the extent of the condition.

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People who are at a high risk of macular degeneration includes:

·       Smoking

·       High myopia (more than -6.00D)

·       Family history of macular degeneration