There’s no cure for macular degeneration, but treatment can prevent the condition from worsening and preserve your eyesight. At St. Croix Falls Eye Associates, in St. Croix Falls, Webster, and Frederic, Wisconsin, licensed optometrists Lawrence Tran, OD, and Sandra Dolphin, OD, provide several types of macular degeneration treatment, including injections, supplements, and photodynamic therapy. Call the nearest office today to receive macular degeneration treatment, or book your appointment online.
request an appointmentWhat is macular degeneration treatment?
Macular degeneration treatment is an optometry subspecialty focused on macular degeneration –– an age-related eye disease that affects your central vision.
Macular degeneration commonly occurs in people 50 and older. It causes damage to the macula –– a part of the retina at the back of your eye.
Are there different types of macular degeneration?
St. Croix Falls Eye Associates treats both types of macular degeneration:
Dry macular degeneration
This type of macular degeneration causes tiny deposits of protein, called drusen, to form at the back of your eye. The buildup of drusen damages your macula causing central vision loss.
Wet macular degeneration
This type of macular degeneration occurs when abnormal blood vessels form beneath your retina and macula. Without treatment, the blood vessels leak, damaging your macula.
Who can benefit from macular degeneration treatment?
Request macular degeneration treatment at St. Croix Falls Eye Associates if you’re 50 or older and have blurred vision or blank spots in your central field of vision. Seek treatment, even if your symptoms are mild. Screening can determine the underlying cause and prevent the problems from worsening.
How is macular degeneration diagnosed?
Your St. Croix Falls Eye Associates provider reviews your medical records, asks about your symptoms, and completes a comprehensive eye exam. They test your visual acuity and administer special eye drops to dilate your pupils and view the back of your eye.
Then, they order optical coherence tomography (OCT), a type of diagnostic imaging that captures photos of your retina, macula, and the other structures at the back of your eye.
Your provider uses the information to develop a personalized treatment plan.
What does macular degeneration treatment involve?
St. Croix Falls Eye Associates offers several types of macular degeneration treatment, including:
Supplements
Certain nutrients, like vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc, can help slow the progression of macular degeneration. Your provider may recommend supplements, vitamins, or improved nutrition to prevent the problem from worsening.
Antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF)
Anti-VEGF drugs treat wet macular degeneration. Your provider uses this type of treatment via injection to stop the growth of abnormal blood vessels at the back of your eye.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT)
PDT uses anti-VEGF drugs and targeted light energy to destroy abnormal blood vessels at the back of your eye.
Call St. Croix Falls Eye Associates today to learn more about macular degeneration treatment or book online.