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Macular Degeneration

Macular Degeneration General Information.

Age related macular degeneration or AMD is a chronic disease causing a degeneration of the macula, the part of your eye responsible for central vision. There are a number of risk factors for AMD including age, family history of AMD, female gender, smoking, diet, excessive sunlight exposure, high blood pressure and obesity.

Macular degeneration can be classified as either Dry AMD or Wet AMD.

Dry AMD is characterised by a degeneration or breakdown of the macula and the subsequent formation of drusen pigment changes and loss of tissue(atrophy). Dry AMD accounts for approximately 90% of diagnosed cases and can progress to the wet form of AMD. There is no cure or treatment for dry AMD.  The use of an Amsler Grid at home helps detect the onset of vision distortion due to progressing AMD.

When dry AMD becomes wet AMD it is characterised by fluid and abnormal vessel growth which can rupture causing leakage and scar tissue, both of which cause damage to the macula resulting in loss of vision. A noticeable loss of vision or distortion of vision may now be noticeable. There are treatment options available for wet AMD which include Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), Laser therapy, and anti-VEFG (vascular endothelial growth factor) injections. Active wet AMD can be diagnosed more effectively with the help of diagnostic testing such as Fluorescein Angiography (FA) and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and both of these tests aid in the subsequent treatment of wet AMD.

Watch and learn more about macular degeneration below in this video.

View Video

Anti-VEGF injection therapy, Laser therapy and Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) are performed in our clinic.

 

Contacting Us

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Tel: 604-985-0405
[email protected]

Eyewest Vision

Suite 300 - 1343 Lonsdale Avenue
North Vancouver, BC V7M 2H7


 

DUE to the rapid increase of Corona virus causing the COVID 19 pandemic, if you have recently travelled, are experiencing flu like symptoms or have been exposed to anyone with flu like symptoms, please DO NOT come into our office but rather call us during our phone hours of Monday - Friday 8:30am – 4:00 pm 604-985-0405. For the safety of our Doctor’s, staff and patients as this virus continues to spread, all appointments can be subject to cancellation and rescheduled in the near future. We will be calling you directly if we need to reschedule your appointment. Thank you for all of your understanding and support during this difficult time.
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