What is macular degeneration and how it can be treated?

An eye problem that will need the attention of an Arizona eye specialist is age-related macular degeneration. Age-related macular degeneration is the main cause of severe vision loss in individuals over age 50 years. This eye problem occurs when there are changes in the macula. Macula is a small part of the retina that is located on the inner back layer of the eye. This eye problem results in loss of central vision that occurs in two forms, dry and wet. Generally people with this problem have the dry form for which there is no known treatment. On the other hand, the wet condition may respond to laser procedures and other medical procedures if diagnosed and treated early.

According to family doctors in Mesa AZ, the symptoms of age-related macular degeneration go unnoticed. But later, many signs develop. The symptoms include loss of clear color vision, dark or empty region in the centre of vision, gradual loss of ability to see objects clearly, straight lines looking wavy or crooked and shapes of objects looking distorted.

If you find any of the above symptoms, get in touch with an Arizona eye specialist immediately for a comprehensive eye check-up. Your doctor will perform a number of tests to identify if you have this problem or any other eye problems.

If the problem is detected early, wet macular degeneration can be treated with laser treatment. This treatment is called photocoagulation. A beam of light is used to seal the leaking blood vessels that are damaging the macula. Your doctor can also inject medication into the back of the eye to slow down the growth of leaky blood vessels. Although none of these treatments are permanent cure, but they can help in reducing vision loss.

Apart from age-macular degeneration, there can be many eye problems that will need attention of an Arizona eye specialist. These problems can be dry eye, glaucoma, lazy eye, ocular allergies, nearsightedness, farsightedness, hyperopia and floaters and spots. You can take help of the Internet to shortlist experienced eye doctors in Arizona. Check their websites to know more about the problems they treat and also check their success rate. Read the testimonials on their websites to know whether the patients suffering from eye problems received good treatment or not. You can also ask for recommendations from friends and family to suggest few family eye doctors in Mesa AZ.

Gilbert Family Eye Center provides complete eye care services and emergency eye care services in Arizona.