Macular Degeneration in Pottstown, PA

Macular degeneration is a leading cause of vision loss in people age 60 and over and affects 6.2 million people worldwide. If you live or work in Pottstown, PA, or elsewhere in Montgomery County, regular visits to your ophthalmologist at Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania will help address any symptoms of the condition.

Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania is the leading ophthalmology and eye care practice in Montgomery, Berks, Lancaster, Lebanon and Schuylkill counties. 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 Institute at the Penn Medicine Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

What is Macular Degeneration?

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a common eye condition that affects the macula, the part of the retina that allows you to see fine detail to read or drive. There are two forms of AMD – wet and dry.

Dry AMD is more common than wet AMD; nearly 90% of AMD patients are diagnosed with dry AMD. It is diagnosed when yellowish deposits known as drusen begin to accumulate in and around the macula. Drusen are often found in people over age 50.

Wet AMD is considered an advanced form of AMD and occurs when new blood vessels grow underneath the retina and leak blood and fluid. This causes permanent damage to light-sensitive retinal cells and creates blind spots in the central vision. The wet form of AMD usually leads to more serious vision loss.

Symptoms of Macular Degeneration

Early macular degeneration usually has no symptoms or noticeable vision loss. The most common early sign of AMD is blurred or distorted vision, which is caused by the loss of function in macular cells. This blurred vision will often go away in brighter light. Eventually, there will be a small, but growing, blind spot in the center of the field of vision.

Other AMD symptoms include:

• A dark spot or shadow in the center of your field of vision
• Increasing blurriness of printed words
• Distortion of straight lines
• Needing more or brighter light to see
• Difficulty recognizing faces or objects
• Loss of ability to distinguish colors
• Increased sensitivity to glare and sunlight
• Loss of depth perception

If you believe you may have symptoms of age-related macular degeneration, contact Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania for an evaluation. Early diagnosis and treatment is crucial.

How Do We Detect AMD?

AMD is detected during a comprehensive dilated eye exam which includes a visual acuity test that measures how well you see at various distances. In the dilated eye exam, drops are placed in your eyes to widen, or dilate, the pupils. Your eye care professional uses a special magnifying lens to examine your retina and optic nerve for signs of AMD and other eye problems.

For more information about macular degeneration in Pottstown, PA, contact Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania and our retinal specialists.  We have five convenient locations in Pottstown, Pottsville, Lebanon, Blandon, and Wyomissing.