Macular Degeneration Specialist Reading, PA

Macular degeneration is a disease of the retina. The disease takes two forms: wet and dry. Regardless of which form you have, when you need a macular degeneration specialist in Reading PA, trust your eyes to the highly trained experts at Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania.

If your vision has become blurred or distorted, or you have noticed a loss of central vision, make an appointment without delay. When macular degeneration is not quickly detected and treated, your vision can rapidly degrade.

Macular degeneration destroys the center of the retina (the macula), an area of the eye responsible for ensuring that a person sees clear details when recognizing faces, reading and driving.

Of the two forms of macular degeneration, dry AMD is by far the most common form. In fact, nearly 90 percent of all cases are the dry form, caused by drusen deposits that begin to form around the macula. Our doctors can make a clear diagnosis using our high-resolution imaging to see the drusen formations.

The wet AMD is much rarer. Wet AMD is an advanced form of macular degeneration caused by blood vessel leakage in the area of the retina. Unfortunately, the leaks permanently damage the light-sensitive retina cells; this is what causes the characteristic central “blind spot” associated with AMD. When people have this form of the disease, they typically experience much more serious vision loss.

Why Choose Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania?

Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania has a Macular Degeneration Center of Excellence staffed by our expert team of specialized ophthalmologists, ophthalmic surgeons and eye care professionals who are trained in a variety of surgical techniques.

Our nationally recognized team has been trained at some of the most renowned medical facilities in the world: Scheie Eye Institute, Washington Hospital Center, Duke Eye Center and the Penn Medicine Hospital. As such, our experienced team offers state-of-the-art macular degeneration treatment and care in the Reading area and our other locations in Blandon, Pottstown, Pottsville and Lebanon, PA.

Diagnosis and Treatment

We will first perform a comprehensive eye exam and vision evaluation. Part of this exam involves a dilated eye exam as well as a visual acuity test, both of which we use to diagnose both forms of AMD. Based on test results, we will recommend treatments and management options for preserving your vision and preventing further vision loss.

Treatment options vary depending on whether you have either dry or wet AMD, and are also dependent on the severity of your disease. The dry form of AMD cannot be cured, but we may prescribe vitamin and mineral supplements to help to slow the progression of the disease.

To treat wet AMD, we offer treatments such as steroid treatment, laser surgery and photodynamic therapy (PDT).

If you have received a diagnosis of macular degeneration, or suspect you have it based on your symptoms, give our macular degeneration specialists in Reading, PA a call today. Macular degeneration is a leading cause of vision loss in people over age 50; don’t be one of them.