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Macular Degeneration Specialist

Whitson Vision Our Services Macular Degeneration

Whitson Vision

Board-Certified Ophthalmologists located in Avon, IN & Indianapolis, IN

Age-related macular degeneration affects more than 10 million Americans and is a leading cause of vision loss. William E. Whitson, MD, and the team at Whitson Vision in Indianapolis and Avon, Indiana, diagnose and treat macular degeneration as soon as it’s detected to help prevent more severe stages of the disease. If you have blurred vision at the center of your focus area, it could be a sign of macular degeneration. Call the office or schedule an appointment online today.

Macular Degeneration Q & A

What is macular degeneration?

Macular degeneration is a condition in which the central portion of your retina begins to deteriorate. The retina is the part of your eye that records images and sends information to the optic nerve from your eye to your brain so you can see. The center of the retina, and the most sensitive area is the macula.

The macula focuses your central vision and controls your ability to:

  • Read
  • Recognize faces
  • Drive a car
  • See fine details
  • Recognize colors
  • Watch TV
  • Focus on a computer screen

When your macula begins to deteriorate, your brain can’t interpret images as accurately, resulting in blurred central vision or blind spots. If left untreated, macular degeneration continues to worsen and can cause blindness.

Who is at risk for macular degeneration?

Dry macular degeneration is the most common form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affecting adults 65 and older. In addition to age, other risk factors for developing AMD include:

  • Family history
  • Smoking
  • Obesity
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Environmental factors

There’s not a single known cause of macular degeneration, but if you have any of the above risk factors, you can take steps to prevent the onset of the condition. Routine eye exams are the best way to identify the early stages of macular degeneration.

What are the symptoms of macular degeneration?

The onset of macular degeneration is a slow process that develops gradually without pain or obvious symptoms. Over time, you may notice distorted areas of vision, especially in the center of your eyesight. You may also experience:

  • Difficulty recognizing faces
  • Bright colors looking less vivid
  • Difficulty seeing in dimly lit rooms
  • A need for a brighter light to read or focus up close

Macular degeneration usually affects both eyes at the same time. If you experience symptoms of macular degeneration, a professional eye exam can detect the condition.

Our physicians offer the AdaptDx® imaging test to detect the early onset of age-related macular degeneration and monitor the progression of your condition. AdaptDx is one of the most accurate measures of macular degeneration, allowing our team to detect symptoms at the earliest onset of the condition.

If you’re over 50 and are concerned about developing macular degeneration, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.

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