Macular Degeneration

Macular Degeneration Care From Our Optometrist in Midland, TX

Losing only part of your vision may not sound as disastrous as going totally blind - but what if that part of your vision is what you're trying to focus on? An age-related disease called macular degeneration can damage your central vision until you can't see faces, text, or objects directly in front of you. As frightening as this condition sounds, however, it can be controlled and possibly even prevented, thanks to the evaluations, advice, and treatment offered by our optometrist in Midland, TX, Dr. Urias.

Macular Degeneration

What Macular Degeneration Can Mean for Your Vision

Macular degeneration is more properly called age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, because it generally doesn't affect people until they enter their senior years. It's actually the leading cause of blindness among older Americans, affecting 6.5 percent of the population. But unlike the total blindness that other conditions may cause, macular degeneration primarily robs your of the central visual field, which is handled by a part of the retina called the macula. While early stages may not reveal symptoms, this progress, irreversible diseases can eventually cause distortion of straight lines or even empty patches in your center of vision. The two types of macular degeneration are:

  • Dry (atrophic) macular degeneration - This less severe, more common version is characterized by the formation of particles called drusen on the macula.
  • Wet (neovascular) macular degeneration - Dry AMD sometimes progresses to this more advanced condition, in which abnormal blood vessels proliferate, leaking blood into the eye's interior.

Our Optometry Center Can Protect Your Eyes

Preventative care is your first line of defense against macular degeneration. Our optometry center can administer annual eye exams to check for any signs of this disease. We can also make lifestyle recommendations to lower your risk, including smoking cessation, healthy diet and weight, blood pressure control, and using UV-blocking sunglasses. We can also provide you with computer glasses that filter certain frequencies of blue light emitted by LED screens (another possible risk factor).

Even if you develop dry macular degeneration, these same smart strategies may prevent the condition from advancing to the "wet" stage. If you have wet macular degeneration, our optometrist in Midland may recommend nutritional supplementation and/or injectable medications to limit the growth of abnormal blood vessels, helping you preserve your eyesight.

Schedule an Exam at Urias Eyecare

The earlier you start protecting your eyes against macular degeneration, the less trouble you're likely to have from this sight-stealing disease. Take the first step today by calling Urias Eyecare at (432) 368-4102 to schedule a comprehensive eye exam and get more information on smart preventative strategies!

Contact us to request an appointment today.

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*Doctor not in office on Monday

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8:30 am - 5:30 pm

Tuesday

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Wednesday

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Thursday

8:30 am - 5:30 pm

Friday

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Saturday

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Sunday

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Monday
8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Tuesday
8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Wednesday
8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Thursday
8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Friday
8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Saturday
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Sunday
Closed

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