What Is Macular Degeneration?
Macular degeneration is an eye disease that causes central vision loss. The eye condition doesn’t typically result in complete blindness, but it can impact reading, driving, and recognizing faces.
Prescription glasses and contacts cannot correct vision changes caused by macular degeneration. The eye disease occurs when the macula (a part of your retina) is damaged.
The small but mighty 5mm macula is how we identify most of our colour vision and fine details. When the macula degenerates, however, we our vision becomes blurry and dull.
Regular eye exams are crucial in detecting vision loss and symptoms of macula damage. If you experience symptoms or have concerns about your vision, visit your optometrist. Prevention is the best method of protecting your central vision.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
The risk of macular degeneration increases with age. Known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the eye condition has become a leading cause of blindness in North America, particularly in adults over 55.
Risk factors for MD include:
- Age
- Smoking
- Atherosclerosis
- Nutrient deficiency
- Stargardt disease
- Excess UV exposure
- High blood pressure
- Family history of MD
- Vitelliform macular dystrophy
Dry MD
Macular degeneration has two stages: dry and wet.
Dry macular degeneration is the first stage and it can occur in one or both eyes. The sooner the condition is detected, the better the chance of successful treatment.
Dry MD is the most common form, and symptoms include:
- Central vision loss
- Blurry vision
- Retinal damage
- Distortion of straight lines
- Difficulty recognizing faces
- Difficulty adapting to low-lighting
Wet MD
Wet macular degeneration is the second stage of the eye condition. It always presents as dry MD first, and then symptoms worsen. The second stage is more severe, and symptoms can occur rapidly.
Although wet MD is rarer, it shares many symptoms with dry MD. The difference is in how quickly and intensely symptoms occur. A few additional symptoms include:
- Dimming colour vision
- Lines appearing wavy
- Increasing blank spots
- Difficulty recognizing faces
- Increasing visual distortions
- Sudden dark or blurry spot in central vision
People diagnosed with wet MD may also experience Charles Bonnet syndrome, where the brain attempts to compensate for vision loss by inserting images. These abstract hallucinations are visual, with no accompanying smells or sound.
More Macula
Other conditions affect the macula and central vision.
Macular Edema
Macular edema is the result of fluid buildup under the retina. Poor drainage and increased intraocular pressure cause the macula to swell and thicken, which distorts central vision.
Macular edema can result from other health and eye conditions, including diabetic eye disease, age-related macular degeneration, abnormal blood vessel growth, eye surgery, and inflammatory diseases.
Macular Hole
A macular hole is when a hole or opening develops your macula. This condition is usually slow-growing. Since both macular degeneration and a macular hole interfere with normal macula function, the symptoms are similar.
If the eye condition is diagnosed early and isn’t caused by trauma, treatment has a high chance of success. However, larger macular holes or trauma caused by other eye conditions complicate treatment outcomes.
Immediately seeing your optometrist increases your chance of preventing vision loss. Book an appointment to assess your eye health if you notice symptoms.
Preserve Your Central Vision
Early stages of macular degeneration can be difficult to detect, which often leads individuals to ignore symptoms. Regular eye exams can help diagnose changes to your eye health, so the details and minor symptoms aren’t missed.
If you’re experiencing changes to your vision, or it’s time for a regular checkup, talk to your optometrist. We’re here to offer lifelong eye care and quality diagnostic technology. Together, we can assess your eye health and protect your vision.
Book an appointment with Dr. Bishop & Associates.
Our Locations
You deserve the highest standard of eye care. Our 4 locations make it easy for you to receive quality eye care, no matter where you live.
Willow Park Village
- Phone: 403-974-3937
- Fax: 403-509-4859
- Email: [email protected]
- 412 – 10816 Macleod Trail SE
- Calgary, AB T2J 5N8
Hours of Operation
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Legacy Township
- Phone: 403-974-3937
- Fax: 587-392-7365
- Email: [email protected]
- 230 – 200 Hartell Way SE
- Calgary, AB T2X 4S9
Hours of Operation
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Beacon Hill
- Phone: 403-974-3937
- Fax: 403-509-4854
- Email: [email protected]
- 610 – 11877 Sarcee Trail NW
- Calgary, AB T3R 1W5
Hours of Operation
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Northgate Village
- Phone: 403-974-3937
- Fax: 403-509-4866
- Email: [email protected]
- 103 – 495 36 St NE
- Calgary, AB T2A 6K3
Hours of Operation
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Our Google Reviews
Willow Park
Legacy Township
Northgate Village
Beacon Hill
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Does Alberta Health Care Cover Eye Exams?
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Willow Park Village
- 412 - 10816 Macleod Trail SE
- Calgary, AB T2J 5N8
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P: 403-974-3937
[email protected]
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Legacy Township
- 230 - 200 Hartell Way SE
- Calgary, AB T2X 4S9
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P: 403-974-3937
[email protected]
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Shoppes at Beacon Hill
- 610 - 11877 Sarcee Trail NW
- Calgary, AB T3R 1W5
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P: 403-974-3937
[email protected]
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Northgate Village
- 103 - 495 36 St NE
- Calgary, AB T2A 6K3
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P: 403-974-3937
[email protected]