Fort Kent, ME
Macular Degeneration
Fort Kent, ME
Macular Degeneration
Age-related Macular Degeneration
Our eye doctors Dr. Tim Rioux and Dr. Brent Stoliker specialize in diagnosing age-related macular degeneration in its early stages, often before you notice symptoms. While there is no cure for age-related macular degeneration, detecting and treating it early can help slow the progression of the condition.
What is age-related macular degeneration?
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that causes blurry central vision. It affects your macula, which is responsible for clear, straight-ahead vision. AMD is the leading cause of severe vision loss in adults over 50.
What are the signs of age-related macular degeneration?
In the early stages of AMD, symptoms may not be noticeable. However, as the disease progresses, you may start to experience blurred vision, faded colors, straight lines appearing wavy, and difficulty seeing in dim lighting.
Types of age-related macular degeneration
There are two main types of AMD: dry and wet.
- Dry AMD is the most common form of AMD, making up around 85–90% of cases. It happens when the light-sensitive cells in the macula slowly break down, resulting in a gradual loss of central vision.
- Wet AMD is more serious. It occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the macula, causing fluid and blood to leak into the retina. This can lead to rapid and severe vision loss.
Diagnosing age-related macular degeneration
If you’re over 50 or have a family history of AMD, regular eye exams are crucial. They can help detect the condition early, preventing vision loss.
Our advanced AdaptDx Pro test, developed by MacuLogix®, is a cutting-edge screening tool that may identify macular degeneration up to three years earlier than other tests. By measuring your dark adaptation speed (the speed at which your eyes adjust to darkness), this innovative test provides valuable insights into your vision health.
During the test, you’ll wear a headset and press a button whenever you see a flashing light. It takes about 10 minutes to complete. The results, measured as your Rod Intercept (RI), provide vital information about your vision health. Your doctor will review them with you and give insight into whether you may have AMD.
Treatment for age-related macular degeneration
There are currently no treatments for dry AMD, but nutritional supplements may slow the disease’s progression and reduce the risk of late-stage or wet AMD.
In cases of wet AMD, symptoms usually appear suddenly and worsen quickly. Fortunately, treatments such as photodynamic therapy, laser surgery, and anti-VEGF injections can prevent vision loss. Our eye doctor can assess your vision and eye health and recommend the best treatment for you.
Schedule an eye exam for macular degeneration in Fort Kent
Regular eye exams are critical for people of all ages, especially if you’re at high risk of developing AMD. If it’s been a while since your last eye exam, schedule an appointment at our office in Fort Kent, Maine. Dr. Rioux and Dr. Stoliker diagnose and treat a range of eye diseases and other issues, including age-related macular degeneration.
While it’s uncommon to lose all your vision with AMD, it can impact your sight. Our experienced doctors will offer treatment to help maintain and potentially even improve your situation.
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