According to the National Eye Institute, age-related macular degeneration remains a leading cause of vision loss in older adults. When diagnosed in time, the optometrists at Classic Vision Care in Kennesaw and East Cobb / Marietta, Georgia, Dr. Mital Patel, OD, and Dr. Sela Hothersall, OD, offer tips to possibly slow its progression.
Causes of macular degeneration
The exact causes of macular degeneration are unclear. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects mostly people over 50 years of age due to a thinning of the macula, the portion of your retina responsible for your direct line of sight. Fortunately, it doesn’t affect your peripheral vision. While age-related macular degeneration remains the most prevalent, children and young adults may also suffer from a variety of diseases that cause juvenile macular degeneration (JMD), such as Stargardt’s Disease.
Setting the stage
Dr. Patel determines whether you suffer from macular degeneration, and if so, what stage it falls into, including:
Stage one
Regular eye exams remain crucial, since many people don’t experience vision loss in the beginning.
Stage two
Medium or larger drusen (yellow deposits under the retina) are present, and some people begin to notice mild blur or trouble seeing in low light. Small drusen can already appear in the early stage, which is why an eye exam can find AMD before you notice it.
Final stage
You notice extensive vision loss.
Should you suffer from this disease, our team recommends options to slow its progression.
Seeing the signs
There are two types of macular degeneration, wet and dry. Dr. Patel determines which you may have based upon a variety of issues.
Wet macular degeneration
Wet macular degeneration is due to the growth of abnormal blood vessels behind the retina, which leak blood and fluids. It causes inflammation that injures the macula in one or both eyes, resulting in:
- Visual distortion
- Reduced central vision
- Blurry vision or dark spots
Dry macular degeneration
Much more common, this may cause:
- Blurriness
- Distortion of straight lines
- Necessity for brighter lighting
- Colors to look faded
- Faces to become more difficult to recognize
- Trouble focusing in low light
- Damage to your retina
Unchecked, dry macular degeneration may lead to the more severe wet type. Although it takes longer for dry macular degeneration to manifest, it’s crucial to receive a diagnosis as soon as possible to slow its progression.
Treatments to slow the disease's progress
While there’s no cure, Dr. Patel and our colleagues recommend certain treatments to help you maintain your vision longer, such as:
- Medication to halt the growth of new blood vessels
- Photodynamic therapy using medication and a special laser
- Photocoagulation via high-energy laser beams to destroy abnormal blood vessels
We may also suggest surgery to implant a telescopic lens that replaces your eye’s natural lens.
Issues to consider
Losing your vision through macular degeneration is traumatic. Dr. Patel eases your concerns, discussing:
- What stage you’re in
- Whether the disease will progress
- Treatment options
- What lifestyle changes, such as supplements and diet, might help
Although this disease may be hereditary, lifestyle issues, such as smoking and obesity, increase your risk. High blood pressure and heart disease also play a factor. To avoid further complications, it’s important to make certain changes, including:
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Eat fish and nuts high in Omega-3 fatty acids to help offset inflammation
- Consume plenty of fruits and vegetables, which are rich in antioxidants that may support long-term eye health.
It’s easy to see… the sooner, the better
Dr. Patel and our compassionate staff hope to diagnose any eye conditions, such as macular degeneration, as soon as possible to help slow or prevent their progression. If you notice sudden changes in your central vision, call us the same day. To schedule your yearly exam, call us or book an appointment online with Classic Vision Care.
What are the early signs and symptoms of age-related macular degeneration?
The earliest sign of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is often no symptom at all. Early dry AMD does not cause changes you can notice [1]. An eye exam can find early signs, such as tiny yellow deposits called drusen, before your vision changes [2].
Early signs of macular degeneration you may notice
As dry AMD moves into the intermediate stage, some people start to notice [1]:
- Mild blurriness in the center of your vision
- Trouble seeing in low light or needing brighter light to read
- Colors that look faded
- Faces that are harder to recognize
AMD affects central vision, not side vision [2]. Many people do not realize they have AMD until their vision is very blurry [2].
Dry age related macular degeneration symptoms vs wet AMD
Most people with AMD have the dry type [1]. Dry AMD symptoms usually build slowly over years. Wet AMD happens when abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina and leak [2]. Vision loss is faster with wet AMD, and dry AMD can turn into wet AMD in some people [2].
Sudden changes: call us the same day
Call our Kennesaw or East Cobb office the same day if you notice:
- Straight lines, door frames, or text that suddenly look wavy or bent
- A new dark, blank, or blurry spot in the center of your vision
- A fast drop in central vision in one eye
Straight lines looking wavy is a warning sign for late AMD [1]. Do not wait for a routine visit or an online booking. If both offices are closed, go to the nearest emergency room.
Checking your vision at home
If you have AMD, the AAO advises checking each eye daily with a simple grid chart [2]. Cover one eye at a time. Call right away if lines look wavy, blurry, or dim [2].
Who should be checked for macular degeneration
People age 55 and older are more likely to have AMD [1]. Smoking and a family history of AMD also raise the risk [1]. A comprehensive eye exam with retina screening at either office looks for drusen and other early changes. If we find signs of wet AMD, we coordinate a referral to a retina specialist for treatment.
Related reading: macular degeneration care, how often should you have an eye exam, call or book the right visit.
Sources
- National Eye Institute, "Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)" (last updated June 22, 2021)
- American Academy of Ophthalmology, "Understanding Macular Degeneration" (October 20, 2026)
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