Macular degeneration in Littleton, CO, a condition exclusively associated with aging, occurs when the macula of the eye sustains damage over time. The macula is the portion of the eye that controls your ability to see objects sharply that are directly in front of you. It is also part of the retina at the back of your eye that is extremely sensitive to light.

How Macular Degeneration Might Affect You

Age-related macular degeneration affects central vision, which means that tasks like driving, reading, seeing faces clearly, and completing any type of up-close work can be challenging. As one of the most common age-related eye conditions, macular degeneration is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults.

Although it rarely causes blindness, macular degeneration can certainly have an impact on your quality of life. Part of the frustration with this eye condition is that people don’t notice anything out of the ordinary in the early stages.

The Two Types of Macular Degeneration

Dry macular generation, the most common type, happens when the macula of the eye grows thinner over time. The condition progresses over many years, and you could have either the early, intermediate, or late type. Unfortunately, no specific treatment exists for late dry macular degeneration, but our optometrists will work with you to maximize the vision you have left.

Wet macular degeneration is less common but progresses much more quickly. This type is always at the advanced stage, and it occurs when blood vessels in the back of the eye fail to grow normally and cause damage to the macula. When people do notice symptoms of this condition, it’s usually the wet type. Typical symptoms include blurry vision, colors appearing less vibrant, and straight lines looking wavy.

We encourage you to contact Visionaire Eye Consultants if you have any concerns about macular degeneration in Littleton, CO.