Focus on early detection to protect your vision

At Kelly Eye Center, we encourage patients to schedule regular medical exams to help protect their eye health and achieve early detection. With incurable diseases, such as macular degeneration, it is vital to catch any signs of vision loss as soon as possible. Once you have a diagnosis, an eye doctor for macular degeneration can design a custom care plan that will help prevent further damage and enjoy optimal vision for as long as possible.

What is Macular Degeneration?

The center of the retina is known as the macula, and this area is responsible for focusing the central part of our vision, which allows us to read, drive and see fine details. Macular degeneration causes the cells of the macula to deteriorate, which can cause blurry vision and eventually lead to a complete loss of central vision. Patients will still have peripheral vision, but the center of their sight will be lost, which renders them legally blind.

Currently, there are no conclusive causes of macular degeneration, although there are indications that genetics and certain environmental factors do play a role. Perhaps most importantly, the symptoms are irreversible, so early detection is your best defense against this disease. A comprehensive eye exam will allow the macular degeneration doctor to inspect the retina and conduct vision tests that will reveal any abnormalities.

Treatments for Macular Degeneration

Again, while there isn’t a cure for macular degeneration, there are some steps you can take to slow the progress of the disease. Depending on the severity of the disease, different medications, injections, and other laser treatments may be recommended. These are used to promote healthy cell growth and preserve vision.

At Kelly Eye Center, our Raleigh macular degeneration facility creates a treatment plan based on your specific needs. Contact us to start today to schedule an eye exam with an eye doctor for macular degeneration and get the expert advice and treatments you need to enjoy lasting eye health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common symptoms of macular degeneration include blurred or distorted central vision, difficulty reading or performing close-up tasks, dark or empty areas in central vision, changes in color perception, and increased light sensitivity.

By maintaining a healthy diet, avoiding smoking, engaging in regular exercise, wearing UV eye protection, and managing blood pressure and cholesterol levels, you can slow the progression of the disease and manage it better. However, these choices cannot guarantee the prevention or cure of macular degeneration—that’s why regular eye exams are so important for early detection and management.