If you’re at risk of macular degeneration, which can rob you of your vision, turn to Lowcountry Eye Specialists in Ladson, South Carolina. Board-certified ophthalmologists Jay Thompson, MD, Phelan Piehota, DO, and their exceptional team diagnose and treat macular degeneration to reduce your risk of serious complications. Call the office to book an appointment or schedule one online today.
Macular degeneration occurs when part of the retina in your eye, called the macula, starts to deteriorate. This eye disease is common in people over 50. Because your retina helps you see fine details, macular degeneration can cause blurry or reduced central vision.
Routine eye exams help your eye doctor detect macular degeneration and treat it before it becomes serious.
You might not experience any symptoms in the early stages of macular degeneration. Common signs and symptoms that can occur over time include:
Macular degeneration may affect both of your eyes or just one eye. Complications sometimes linked with untreated macular degeneration include social isolation and depression.
While macular degeneration can happen to anyone, risk factors for developing it include:
Ways to lower your risk of developing macular degeneration include maintaining a healthy weight, properly managing chronic diseases, eating healthy foods, and not smoking.
To determine if you have macular degeneration, your Lowcountry Eye Specialists provider reviews your symptoms and medical history. They check your vision and complete a comprehensive dilated eye exam.
If needed, your eye doctor offers imaging procedures to get a better picture of the health of your eyes.
While there’s no cure for macular degeneration, treatment often helps slow disease progression. Examples of solutions your provider might recommend include:
Attending routine eye exams every year, or more often if your eye doctor recommends it, is important.
Your specialist personalizes each treatment for macular degeneration to give you the best outcome and preserve your vision.
To schedule your next eye exam and find out if you have macular degeneration, call the Lowcountry Eye Specialists office or request an appointment online today.
