Information About Macular Degeneration

Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania offers state-of-the-art care in the treatment and management of patients who suffer from macular degeneration. Get in touch with us for information about AMD and treatments that may slow its progress or even improve vision.

About Us

Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania is the leading ophthalmology practice in Berks, Lancaster, Lebanon, Montgomery and Schuylkill counties. All of our doctors are board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and continually update their skills and knowledge to offer patients the latest advancements in eye care:

• Barry C. Malloy, MD completed a vitreoretinal fellowship at the Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C.
• Michael Cusick, MD completed a medical and surgical vitreoretinal fellowship at the Duke Eye Center in Durham, North Carolina
• Anastasia Traband, MD completed a vitreoretinal surgery fellowship at the Scheie Eye Instituteat the Penn Medicine Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

What is Macular Degeneration?

Macular degeneration, or age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is a common eye condition that usually affects older adults. It is a deterioration or breakdown of the eye’s macula and one of the leading causes of decreased vision in Americans over the age of 50. It typically comes in two forms – wet and dry. Dry AMD is the most common form. Wet AMD is less common and more severe.

What are the Symptoms of Macular Degeneration?

AMD usually produces a gradual loss of vision without pain or discomfort. In rare cases, however, vision loss can be sudden. If you experience any of the following symptoms, get in touch with Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania as soon as possible.

• Normally straight lines appear wavy or bent
• A dark or blind spot in the center of your field of vision
• Increasing blurriness of printed words
• Difficulty recognizing faces
• Difficulty distinguishing colors
• Sensitivity to bright lights
• Loss of depth perception

Macular degeneration may affect one eye and not the other. If only one eye is affected, you may not notice any vision changes because your good eye compensates for any vision loss or distortion. Without regular eye exams, the vision changes may not be apparent until the second eye becomes affected.

How is Macular Degeneration Treated?

The only way to detect AMD is through a comprehensive dilated eye exam.  If your eye doctor finds that you have AMD, the treatment will depend on which stage the disease is in and whether it is the dry form or the more advanced wet form.

Dry AMD – Currently, there is no form of medical treatment for dry AMD that can prevent vision loss. Studies by the National Eye Institute have indicated that taking certain vitamins and minerals might reduce the risk of developing advanced AMD.

Wet AMD – This more serious, and less common, form of AMD can be treated with laser surgery, photodynamic therapy (PDT) with or without injection of steroids into the eye, and the painless injection of drugs that attempt to stop abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina. However, the disease and loss of vision may still progress even with treatment.

For more information about macular degeneration and the available treatment options, contact Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania for an evaluation. We have five convenient locations in Wyomissing, Pottsville, Pottstown, Lebanon and Blandon, and our highly skilled retina specialists have an excellent track record of success.