Macular Degeneration Treatment Berks County
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If you’ve been told you have macular degeneration or believe you are experiencing some of the symptoms, get in touch with Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania for treatment options in Berks County, PA. Treatment can delay and possibly prevent intermediate AMD from progressing to the advanced stage.
Macular degeneration, or age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is an eye condition that usually affects older adults. It is a deterioration or breakdown of the eye’s macula and is one of the leading causes of decreased vision in the United States in patients over the age of 50.
Macular degeneration typically comes in two forms, known as “dry” AMD and “wet” AMD. Dry AMD is the most common form. It usually progresses slowly and causes central vision loss. Wet AMD is less common and more severe. It may progress rapidly, causing significant central vision loss.
How Macular Degeneration Is Treated
Although there is no cure for AMD, some treatments may delay its progression. Treatments depend on whether the disease is in its early stage, its dry form, or in the more advanced wet form.
As yet, there are no FDA-approved treatments for dry AMD, and once dry AMD reaches the advanced stage, no treatment can prevent vision loss. However, nutritional intervention may keep dry AMD from progressing to the wet form.
Wet AMD can be treated with laser surgery, photodynamic therapy (PDT) with or without injection of steroids into the eye, and drugs such as Lucentis, Eylea, Macugen and Visudyne that are painlessly injected into the eye in an attempt to stop abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina. Lucentis has been shown to improve vision in a significant number of people with macular degeneration. But the disease and loss of vision may progress despite treatment.
Various other drugs and treatments are under investigation. Scientists are studying the possibility of transplanting healthy cells into a diseased retina, considering certain anti-inflammatory treatments for the wet form of AMD, and researching the development of artificial retinas or ways to stimulate the retina for those who have experienced permanent vision loss from retinal disease.
For individuals who have already suffered vision loss, there are low vision devices available to help improve vision by using magnifying lenses and bright lights. Some low vision aids actually shift images to the periphery to achieve clearer vision.
We highly recommend that you get in touch with us to schedule a comprehensive dilated eye exam and discuss the macular degeneration treatment options with one of our retina specialists.
Why Choose Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania
Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania is the leading full-service ophthalmic and ophthalmology practice in Berks County. Our team of vitreo-retinal / AMD specialists will evaluate your eyes and help you manage macular degeneration before it causes severe vision loss.
Barry C. Malloy, MD is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and completed a vitreo-retinal fellowship at the Washington Hospital Center after graduating from the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Michael Cusick, MD is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and completed a medical and surgical vitreo-retinal fellowship at the Duke Eye Center after graduating from Georgetown University. Anastasia Traband, MD is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and completed her vitreo-retinal fellowship at the Sheie Eye Institute at the Penn Medicine Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania. After receiving her medical degree at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia.
Dr. Malloy, Dr. Cusick and Dr. Traband have vast experience in the most current treatments of retinal disorders, including macular degeneration, macular edema, retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy, and other complex retinal conditions.
To discuss macular degeneration treatment options in Berks County, make an appointment with Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania today. Our board-certified, fellowship-trained specialists have an excellent track record of success treating patients in Lancaster, Ephrata, Lebanon, Reading, and Wyomissing, PA and beyond. For an appointment, call toll-free 1-800-762-7132.
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