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Macular Degeneration Diagnosis and Monitoring for Boerne and San Antonio Residents

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in Americans over 65 years of age. Individuals suffering from macular degeneration gradually lose their vision over time as the eye's macula becomes compromised. There is no cure, but various treatment strategies for macular degeneration can slow vision loss. At Diaz Vision Center in Boerne, near San Antonio, Dr. Carlos Diaz and his staff can diagnose and monitor macular degeneration, helping patients control the disease and preserve their vision.

What is macular degeneration?

Macular degeneration is an eye disease that affects the macula, which is the central portion of the retina. The retina is the part of the eye that contains light-sensitive cells integral to sight, and the macula is the high-resolution center region of the retina that is responsible for central vision. Individuals with macular degeneration experience progressive vision loss as the macula degrades. Eventually, the macula becomes so damaged that central vision disappears completely, leaving a blind spot.

Macular degeneration begins in a "dry" form, but about 10% of cases progress to a more destructive "wet" form – so called because blood vessels in the retina leak blood and fluid into the eye itself. There are few treatment options for dry AMD, though recent research by the National Eye Institute indicates that a nutritional regimen can help slow the progression of the disease and improve some patients' vision.

Once macular degeneration progresses to the wet stage, a few treatment options are available. Laser photocoagulation surgery, for instance, involves cauterizing leaking vessels with a laser, temporarily preventing fluid leakage. A class of medications known as anti-VEGF drugs is also available for inhibiting blood vessel growth in the retina. These measures are not cures for macular degeneration, but they do offer important help to AMD patients by controlling the symptoms of the disease and preventing damage to the eyes.

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Macular Degeneration Symptoms and Diagnosis

Macular degeneration presents clear symptoms, but the symptoms progress so slowly at first that many people fail to recognize them. Blurred vision, missing or distorted areas of vision, trouble distinguishing between similar colors, and difficulty with close vision tasks such as reading are all symptoms of macular degeneration.

In particular, people affected by macular degeneration may perceive objects to be larger or smaller than they actually are or straight lines to be wavy or distorted. As AMD progresses into the "wet" stage, central vision loss becomes quicker and more pronounced, and patients may develop large blind spots.

A trained professional like Dr. Diaz can perform a number of tests to diagnose macular degeneration. At Diaz Vision Center in Boerne, near San Antonio, Dr. Diaz checks for debris and decay on the macula during standard eye exams. For patients whose vision has been affected by macular degeneration, Dr. Diaz can use the Amsler Grid Test. He will ask the patient to look at a square grid of black lines on white, with a black dot in the center of the grid. To those suffering the effects of macular degeneration, the grid will appear twisted or distorted and may have a centrally located hole where no lines are visible. The Amsler Grid Test is one of the simplest and most effective diagnostic tools available for identifying macular degeneration.

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Macular Degeneration Monitoring

Regular eye exams are the best way to catch macular degeneration early, before it causes too much damage. Because the disease typically affects those over the age of 65, eye exams become increasingly important for older patients. The earlier macular degeneration is detected, the more effective treatment is likely to be in controlling the disease. At Diaz Vision Center, precise diagnosis and monitoring of macular degeneration is possible due to the availability of the latest OCT device. Dr. Diaz will work with each macular degeneration patient at his Boerne office near San Antonio to establish the observation and treatment regimen that will best help them preserve their vision. Patients will be referred for appropriate treatment.

Learn More about Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is a serious condition that may cause significant vision loss or even complete blindness. However, with the right medical help, patients can slow the disease's progress and preserve their vision despite having macular degeneration. Contact Diaz Vision Center in Boerne, near San Antonio, to learn more about this condition.

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To find out more about macular degeneration, contact Diaz Vision Center in Boerne, near San Antonio, and schedule an appointment or speak with a professional.






Diaz Vision Center, PA
124 E Bandera Rd, #404
Boerne, TX 78006

Ph. 830-249-8400
Fx. 830-249-8411

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