Macular Degeneration & AMD
Macular Degeneration & AMD
Age-related macular degeneration causes cells in the macula (the central portion of the retina responsible for vision) to die over time. This causes vision loss in both wet and dry macular degeneration.
Dry Macular Degeneration
About 80% of patients with macular degeneration have the dry form. Dry macular degeneration causes vision loss over a timespan of years by slowly causing the death of cells within the macula.
There is currently no FDA approved treatment for dry AMD, but Austin Eye Center does work closely with the newest clinical trials for preventing worsening dry macular degeneration in patients who are interested.
Dry AMD requires close follow up as it can progress to the wet form of macular degeneration which is more aggressive.
Wet Macular Degeneration
Wet age-related macular degeneration accounts for about 20% of macular degeneration, but is more aggressive than the dry form. This aggressive form can cause permanent vision loss within weeks.
Wet AMD occurs when blood vessels from underneath the retina break through and begin growing within the retina. These vessels tend to leak, causing swelling, or burst, causing bleeding, within the retina.
These vessels can also scar within the macula causing irreversible vision loss.
Symptoms
Risk Factors
Treatments
Catching Macular Degeneration early is essential, since the earlier it is caught, the less vision will be lost. While there is no treatment for Dry Macular Degeneration there are some interventions which can help lower your risk of transforming to wet macular degeneration. Dr. Makkouk will discuss these at length with you on your visit to Austin Eye Center. Dr. Makkouk is also one of the only Retina Specialists in Austin, Texas to be participating in several Dry Age Related Macular Degeneration Clinical Trials, and will discuss your options for enrolling in one of these if you are interested in halting your Dry Macular Degeneration.
If you have Wet Macular Degeneration, Dr. Makkouk and Austin Eye Center will review all treatment options at length with you, and will recommend the best option for you. Oftentimes, the best treatment option for Wet Macular Degeneration is an injection into the eye of a medication designed to stop blood vessels from growing into the eye.
Dr. Makkouk understands that an injection into the eye can be quite scary, so he takes every opportunity to make sure you are comfortable. He also takes the time to numb the eye prior to the injection to make the procedure even easier for you as the patient.
Dr. Makkouk also participates in clinical trials for Wet Macular Degeneration, and is the Principal Investigator in several of these trials. If injection treatment isn’t the best option for your condition, Dr. Makkouk will take the time to discuss other options to help save your vision.
Dr. Makkouk and the Austin Eye Center team understand that your vision is crucial to your quality of life, and so they provide Austin with the highest quality and most innovative care for Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Don’t take any chances when it comes to your sight, rely on Dr Makkouk’s expertise and the team at Austin Eye Center to take care of you. Call today or book your appointment online.
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The Retina
Retinal Detachment
Floaters
Epiretinal Membrane
Macular Hole
