Macular Degeneration
Detroit / Rochester Macular Degeneration Specialist – Dr. Weingarten
The slow progressive loss of the central vision is known as macular degeneration. This condition is generally caused by retinal degeneration that can occur with aging. The two varieties of macular degeneration are known as dry and wet. Dry macular degeneration blurs the central vision slowly over time and is not as severe as wet.
Wet macular degeneration can cause bleeding or leaking blood vessels and unwanted new blood vessels may grow in the macula. The loss of vision comes much more quickly and surgery is usually required to slow it down or stop it. Legal blindness is a common result of wet macular degeneration and laser surgery saves what is left of the macula, but won’t necessarily restore normal vision.
Research continues to find causes and cures, but currently no proven cure exists. Good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle is a good start in protecting yourself from damage to the macula.
Dr. Weingarten stresses that early detection is key to a successful macular degeneration treatment, which is why he offers complete eye exams in Detroit. Comprehensive eye examination helps detect a range of other serious eye conditions, including glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, and it also allows Dr. Weingarten to evaluate refractive errors, including myopia, hyperopia and presbyopia. Many patients with relatively moderate refractive errors are candidates for LASIK, a surgery that can help them achieve clear vision without glasses. More mature individuals often benefit from cataract surgery, a procedure that exchanges clouded lenses with state-of-the-art intraocular lens implants.
