The symptoms of wet macular degeneration resemble many dry macular degeneration symptoms. That’s no coincidence. The “wet” type of this chronic eye disease always starts as the “dry” type. For that reason, the two share factors such as early symptoms and who is at risk. However, wet macular degeneration is more severe than dry macular degeneration. Wet macular degeneration treatment is available but you need to seek help as early as possible.
Wet Macular Degeneration Explained
People at Risk
Be extra vigilant about any vision problems you are noticing. That’s especially important if you fall into risk groups for macular degeneration. People over the age of 65 are more likely to suffer from wet macular degeneration. Having extra weight to lose is another risk. So is being a smoker. Do you have a history of macular degeneration in your family? Tell your optometrist or ophthalmologist. Your eye doctor should also be told about a history of heart disease. Macular degeneration can be a side effect of cardiovascular problems.
Causes of Wet Macular Degeneration
#maculardegeneration causes loss in the centre of the field of #vision.In dry macular degeneration, the centre of the #retina deteriorates. With wet macular degeneration, leaky #blood vessels grow under the retina#Blurredvision https://t.co/7iPHV7L9ml#ophthalmology #eyecare pic.twitter.com/ihN1KjWK8R
— Eye 2018 (@eyemeetings) January 27, 2018
In older patients, dry macular degeneration is the first stage of the wet form of the eye disease. The macula is part of the retina, the innermost coating of your eye. It controls your ability to see when the eye is exposed to direct sunlight. In older people or people with certain health problems, the macula may thin or “degenerate.” This is the dry macular degeneration phase.
With wet macular degeneration, abnormal blood vessel growth under the macula accompanies the thinning. The blood vessels sometimes leak fluid or blood into the retina which decreases vision results. Other types of fluid buildup can also lead to wet macular degeneration.
Primary Symptoms
Wet macular degeneration symptoms appear suddenly or they may worsen quickly. This is one way the wet and dry types differ. Do lines you know to be straight start appearing to bend? This is a common symptom of wet macular degeneration. A blind spot or blurry patch somewhere in your sight line is another well-known sign. Wet macular degeneration can appear as “fuzziness” in the center of your vision. You may also notice a general blurriness.
With wet macular degeneration, colors may also lose their intensity. Reading becomes more difficult. Doing close work of any kind like sewing will also be a challenge.
In some cases, patients with wet macular degeneration may experience visual hallucinations. Dramatic vision loss and hallucinations can also lead to depression. Perhaps a loved one isn’t being upfront about experiencing vision loss. Yet you may notice that she is showing signs of seeing things that aren’t there. She may also seem depressed. Wet macular degeneration may be the explanation.
Prevention Strategies
A preventative lifestyle can make a big difference in protecting your eyesight. That’s true whether or not you have wet macular degeneration. It also makes a difference if you fall into one of the risk categories. Preventative measures offer more hope than you might think.
To prevent or slow the progression of macular degeneration, maintain a healthy lifestyle. This includes regular eye checkups, of course. Taking walks or doing other forms of exercise is also important. Cutting out bad habits like smoking and junk food is crucial. These steps lower your direct risk of wet macular degeneration. It also lessens heart disease risk. Heart problems sometimes have macular degeneration as a secondary condition.
Treatment Options
Prescription medication can block the formation of new blood vessels. This slows wet macular degeneration. Injections, light therapy, and lasers can also shrink or halt blood vessels.
Nutritional supplements and specific dietary choices can help protect your remaining vision. Take Omega-3 supplements and foods rich in Omega-3s like salmon. Copper, zinc, and vitamins C and E can also help. Take them in capsule form and in foods such as citrus, carrots, walnuts, and leafy greens.
Watch this success story of wet macular reversal using microcurrent in the Kondrot Restore vision program:
Some people with wet macular degeneration may not be able to reverse their vision loss but they can preserve what they have. They can also learn how to live a full, healthy life with this eye disease. It’s crucial to seek treatment as early as possible. Follow a comprehensive eating, workout, and general self-care routine. Is a family member resisting having an eye checkup? He or she may fear hearing a diagnosis of wet macular degeneration. If so, remind your loved one that halting the progression is possible but it only happens with proper diagnosis and treatment.
Are you experiencing wet macular degeneration symptoms? What treatment options are you considering? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
Up Next: How To Improve Eye Health Naturally
