March 30, 2015
One of the main reasons patients go to their eye doctor is because they feel that their “vision is changing.” There are many causes for vision changes; this piece will talk about vision changes experienced by mature patients.
Normal aging of the eyes requires us to get reading glasses. The age at which reading glasses are needed varies from individual to individual. Some patients never have the problem; others start having to use reading glasses at a relatively early age.
One of the more serious problems encountered in the aging population is macular degeneration. Macular degeneration can be a serious problem, especially if it is not recognized early and treated appropriately.
A patient with macular degeneration will usually begin to notice that the central portion of the vision is changing. They can still see everything from side to side, but when looking straight ahead it seems that the vision is diminished.
There are two types of macular degeneration. “Dry” macular degeneration is the most common form. If you have this the doctor will see you often to make sure that the macular degeneration does not convert to “wet” macular degeneration.
Dry macular degeneration will cause vision changes. It progresses slowly and only needs to be monitored to be certain that it is not spreading.
On the other hand, wet macular degeneration is much more aggressive and, if not treated as soon as possible, can cause blindness in the individual.
If you experience changes in your vision you need to advise your doctor. He/she will test your eyes to determine the exact causes of the changes. Once a diagnosis has been made the doctor will suggest treatment options to correct the problem.
Once the problem is corrected, as long as no permanent damage has been done, you will once again be able to see with a full field of vision.
Why take chances with your eyes? Call us for an appointment and evaluation.
