As the Centre of Eye Excellence, we offer advanced care to manage and slow the progression of macular degeneration. Our expert-led treatments help preserve vision and maintain quality of life.
Macular Degeneration
Treatment
Macular degeneration is a medical condition that affects the central part of the retina called the macula, leading to the progressive loss of central vision. This can significantly impact daily activities and it is one of the leading causes of visual impairment and blindness in older adults.
Macular Degeneration
Price List
FROM
Initial Consultation
Treatment
Pre-Assessment
Main Treatment
Aftercare
Guide Price
Included
Included
Included
Included
Included
£1,245
What is age-related macular degeneration?
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition that causes progressive damage to the macula and is the most common cause of visual impairment in people over 65 years old.
The retina in our eye captures the light that has been focused by the lens so that it can be transformed by the brain into images. At the heart of the retina is the macula. The macula is made up of special nerve cells which give us our clear central vision and colour.
You may find only one eye or both eyes are affected.
Dry macular degeneration is a common eye disorder in older adults. In dry macular degeneration, the breaking down of the inner layers of the macula causes blurred or reduced central vision.
The earliest sign of dry macular degeneration is often the presence of small yellow deposits called 'drusen' beneath the retina. These drusen are formed by waste products from the retina accumulating beneath the retina. As the drusen become larger, they reduce the flow of nutrients to the retina while at the same time causing the layer of supporting cells beneath the retina to become very thin. The macula which depends on them degenerates and loses its visual function. Drusen can be found in young people too, and their presence alone does not mean that you will have visual problems.
There will be no leaking of blood or fluid so this type of degeneration is called dry macular degeneration.
Of the two types of AMD, dry AMD is much more common, but it allows many people to maintain a useful degree of vision. Dry AMD can develop into wet AMD over time.
As the retina ages and degenerates, the eye will sometimes produce new blood vessels beneath the retina in a process called neovascularisation. These new blood vessels can leak and bleed easily because they are very fragile, and may over time result in the formation of a disc-shaped scar in the centre of the visual field. This will irreversibly destroy all retinal tissue in its area creating a large central blind spot.
Wet AMD nearly always starts with the dry form of AMD. Around 10% of sufferers of dry AMD will go on to develop wet AMD. Although wet AMD is a great deal less common than dry AMD, it is generally the more aggressive form and can cause much more rapid and more extensive visual loss.
Types of AMD
There are two forms of age-related macular degeneration: dry macular degeneration and wet macular degeneration.
Dry macular degeneration develops slowly over time, while wet macular degeneration can cause problems more rapidly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Visual changes will vary from individual to individual. Some examples include:
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You may experience increasing difficulty reading small print, seeing clearly while driving, or seeing the detail on the TV screen.
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You may have reduced central vision, and your central vision may become increasingly blurry, or in more severe cases a blank or dark spot may develop in your central vision.
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You may perceive straight lines as wavy or crooked in the middle, and when you're reading, the lines in the middle of the page may become very blurred and distorted.
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You may notice that colours appear less vibrant than they used to be.
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