Macular degeneration is one of the most common causes of vision loss in adults over 60, yet many people don’t recognize their symptoms until the condition has already progressed. It affects the macula, a small but critical part of the retina that controls your ability to see directly in front of you.
Keep reading to learn what puts people at risk for macular degeneration and what treatment options are available at Colorado Eye Consultants.
What Is Macular Degeneration?
The macula sits at the center of your retina, at the back of your eye. It’s responsible for the sharp, detailed vision you use when reading, driving, or recognizing faces. When the macula begins to deteriorate, that central clarity fades, though peripheral vision typically remains intact.
There are two forms of the condition. Dry macular degeneration, which accounts for nearly 90% of cases, develops gradually as tiny protein deposits called drusen accumulate under the macula, slowly thinning the tissue.
Wet macular degeneration is less common but more severe. It occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the retina and leak fluid, causing faster and more significant vision loss.
Causes of Macular Degeneration
Age is the single biggest risk factor for macular degeneration. Adults over 50 are at greater risk, and that risk increases with each passing decade. The condition is often called age-related macular degeneration (AMD) for exactly that reason. However, aging alone doesn’t tell the full story.
Genetics also contributes. If a parent or sibling has had macular degeneration, your likelihood of developing it increases. Beyond family history, several lifestyle and health factors also raise your risk.
Smoking is one of the most significant factors, as it accelerates damage to the retina’s blood vessels. High blood pressure, obesity, and a diet high in saturated fats have all been linked to a higher likelihood of developing the condition.
In some cases, macular degeneration develops in younger patients. Head injuries, infections, diabetes, and nutritional deficiencies can all affect the health of the retina and macula over time.
How Macular Degeneration Is Treated
There is no cure for macular degeneration, but treatment can slow its progression and, in some cases, help preserve or improve vision.
For dry AMD, research from the Age-Related Eye Disease Studies (AREDS and AREDS2) found that a specific combination of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc, and copper, may slow the disease in patients at intermediate or advanced stages.
For wet AMD, the most common treatment is anti-VEGF injections. These medications are delivered directly into the eye and work by blocking the protein responsible for abnormal blood vessel growth.
Colorado Eye Consultants uses this approach to treat wet AMD and other retinal conditions, including diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion. Laser therapy is another option when appropriate.
Depending on the severity and type of retinal damage, your eye doctor may use laser treatment to seal or break down leaking blood vessels, sometimes in combination with a light-sensitive medication injected into the bloodstream first.
Protecting Your Vision Starts Here
Macular degeneration often progresses silently before symptoms become noticeable, which is why regular eye exams are so important for catching it early. If you have a family history of the condition or other risk factors, staying proactive about your eye health can make a big difference.
Schedule an appointment at Colorado Eye Consultants in Littleton, CO, today to discuss your risk and explore the treatment options available to you.
