Answers to Your Macular Degeneration Questions

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Vision after Forty

Hello. My name is Lori Frank. I’m fifty-two years old. I had perfect vision until I turned forty-one years of age. It’s funny; you often hear how one's vision starts to change at forty. Well, I can tell you that statement sure has held true for not only me but friends and family too. I never worried about going for yearly eye exams until I noticed that it was getting harder to read road signs when driving. I got my first pair of glasses when I was forty-one, and I’ve been averaging a new prescription at least every other year since. I want to share some of my experiences when it comes to eye exams. I was frightened and wanted to put it off, but there’s really nothing to be afraid of. Moreover, to make things better, eyeglasses are a trend these days!

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Answers to Your Macular Degeneration Questions

1 December 2014
 Categories: , Blog


There are many different eye diseases that can cause a person to lose their ability to see. Unfortunately, many people do not know much about eye health, and this can make it difficult for them to understand these problems. In particular, macular degeneration is a common issue that many people will have to battle. It's no surprise that you may have a couple of questions about macular degeneration if you suspect you may have this condition.

How Does Someone Know If They Have Macular Degeneration?

One of the dangerous aspects of macular degeneration is that this condition may not show many symptoms until the condition has reached an advanced state. Typically, these symptoms will involve blind or blurry spots in your sight, and these areas will usually develop relatively gradually. However, if you notice this development, you should visit your eye doctor as soon as possible. 

Due to the way this condition develops, it is vital to have your eyes checked on a regular basis. During your eye exam, your doctor can dilate your eyes, and this will allow them to inspect the interior of your eyes for the early signs of this condition. 

What Type Of Treatment Options Can Relieve Macular Degeneration?

Fortunately, you do not have to lose your vision to macular degeneration. If the condition is caught early, there are a range of treatment options available. However, when you wait until the degeneration reaches an advanced state, surgery may be the only viable option. 

When diagnosed early, this condition can often be treated with prescription strength vitamin supplements or eye drops. While these treatments will not immediately reverse the condition, they can gradually reduce the symptoms until they are no longer problematic. 

Fortunately, if surgery is required, there are options that can be minimally invasive. Many times it may be possible to correct the issue through laser therapy, and recovery from these procedures is usually only a couple of days. While surgery is never a desired outcome for many people, these procedures may be the only way to find relief from your condition. 

Macular degeneration is a disease that prominently affects older patients, but it can affect people of any age group. If you have been diagnosed with this condition, understanding the disease is key. Learn the answers to these common macular degeneration questions to help you be an informed patient when making choices about living with and correcting this condition. Specialized clinics like Malkani Retina Center can also help you navigate the process.