Hitesh K. Patel Edison Eye Doctor

Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration, also called age related macular degeneration (AMD), is a disease that slowly destroys the sharp and central vision. It tends to affect people ages 50 and older and is the leading cause of vision loss in people over 60.

Two Kinds of Age Related Macular Degeneration
• Wet AMD occurs when blood vessels located behind the retina begin to grow under the macula. These blood vessels leak fluid that raises the macula from its normal position. Vision loss can occur very rapidly in wet AMD.
• Dry AMD occurs when the light sensitive cells in the macula break down, causing a gradual blurring in the affected eye.

Signs of Macular Degeneration
The early symptom of Wet AMD is straight lines that appear wavy. Since Wet AMD can progress rapidly, an eye doctor should examine eyes as soon as this symptom is noticed.

Dry AMD can occur slowly, and in three stages, which include:

• Early AMD includes drusen, or small yellow spots, under the retina.
• Intermediate AMD may have blurred vision and medium or large drusen.
• Advanced AMD includes noticeable blurry spots in vision, which get progressively worse and large drusen.

Since Macular Degeneration can advance without notice, or very rapidly, it is essential that eyes be regularly examined by an ophthalmologist.

Treatment for Macular Degeneration
Though there is no cure for Macular Degeneration, treatment is available that may slow its progression. The three common treatments for Macular Degeneration include photodynamic therapy, injections and laser surgery.

• Photodynamic therapy is a treatment that includes the injection of the drug verteporfin into the arm. The drug travels throughout the body and into the blood vessels in the eye. A light is shined into the eye for 90 seconds to activate the drug, which then destroys the problem blood vessels, slowing the rate of vision loss.
• Injections are used to treat Wet AMD. Drugs, which slow the growth of abnormal blood vessels, are injected into the eye, slowing the progression of vision loss.
• Laser surgery is another treatment used to prevent further vision loss. The treatment includes directing a high beam of light directly into the new blood vessels destroying them.

Macular Degeneration should not be self-diagnosed; an ophthalmologist familiar with your eye care should address any specific questions. Hitesh K. Patel, M.D. is an Edison, New Jersey Ophthalmologist with more than 10 years experience treating macular degeneration.

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