Macular degeneration affects the macula, the central part of the retina. It can cause blurry or distorted central vision, difficulty reading or recognizing faces, and other changes to detailed vision. Side vision is usually not affected.
Macular Degeneration
Macular Degeneration Care in Weslaco
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Dry AMD in particular tends to develop gradually, and changes can be subtle early on. Regular eye health evaluations allow your optometrist to compare your macula over time and identify changes before they become more significant.
Dry AMD involves gradual thinning of the macula and tends to progress slowly. Wet AMD involves abnormal blood vessel growth beneath the retina and can cause more significant central vision changes more quickly. Not all dry AMD progresses to wet AMD.
How often you need to be seen depends on your individual findings, the stage of your condition, and whether anything has changed. Your optometrist will recommend a follow-up schedule based on your specific situation.
If your macular degeneration requires care beyond the scope of Weslaco Eye Professionals, such as retinal specialist evaluation or treatment for wet AMD, our optometrist can refer you to an appropriate provider and explain what comes next.
Contact your optometrist if you notice straight lines that appear wavy or bent, a dark or blurry area in the center of your vision, sudden difficulty reading, or any noticeable change in your central vision. These changes can have several causes and should be evaluated promptly.
Monitoring Macular Degeneration in Weslaco
Macular Degeneration Monitoring at Weslaco Eye Professionals
If you have been told you have macular degeneration, or if you are noticing changes in your central vision, regular monitoring can help you and your optometrist understand what is happening and what may come next.
Macular degeneration affects the macula, the small central area of the retina responsible for the detailed vision you use to read, recognize faces, drive, or look directly at something. When the macula is affected, central vision may become blurry, distorted, or less distinct, while side vision often remains intact.
Our optometrist is trained in detecting and managing macular degeneration and has completed ocular disease training through the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System in Harlingen and McAllen. At Weslaco Eye Professionals, ongoing monitoring is focused on tracking changes in your macula over time and determining when additional evaluation or referral may be appropriate.
How Macular Degeneration Can Affect Your Vision
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common form of the condition. It typically develops in adults over 50 and tends to progress gradually. There are two forms:
- Dry AMD is the more common form. It involves a gradual thinning of the macula. Changes can be slow and may go unnoticed for some time.
- Wet AMD is less common but can progress more quickly. It involves abnormal blood vessel growth beneath the retina that can cause more significant central vision changes.
Not all patients with dry AMD develop wet AMD. Follow-up care is partly about identifying whether the condition is changing and whether the type of AMD has shifted in a way that may need additional evaluation.
Changes Worth Discussing With Your Optometrist
Contact your optometrist if you notice any of the following:
Straight lines that appear wavy or bent; a blurry or dark area in the center of your vision; difficulty reading fine print that was not a problem before; trouble recognizing familiar faces; or a noticeable change in color clarity or detail.
These changes can have other causes and do not confirm AMD on their own. An eye health evaluation is the appropriate way to assess what is affecting your central vision.
Your Monitoring Schedule Depends on Your Findings
How often your macula should be monitored depends on your findings, how your condition has changed over time, and your overall health history. Some patients require more frequent follow-up than others, particularly if findings have changed or if a transition from dry to wet AMD is a concern.
Your optometrist will recommend a monitoring schedule based on your individual situation, not a generic timeline.
When Referral for More Specialized Care May Be Needed
Some patients with macular degeneration need care that goes beyond what an optometry office provides. If your findings suggest wet AMD, rapid changes, or a need for specialized retinal evaluation or treatment, our optometrist can refer you to an appropriate retinal specialist and help you understand your next step.
Stay Ahead of Changes in Your Central Vision
If you have macular degeneration or have noticed changes such as blur, distortion, or difficulty recognizing faces, ongoing eye care can help you understand what is changing and what should happen next. Schedule a macular degeneration evaluation with Weslaco Eye Professionals so our optometrist can assess your current eye health and recommend the appropriate next step.