Macular Degeneration

Macular Degeneration services offered in Reno, NV

If you develop vision changes or blind spots, it’s important to see an eye specialist at Optic Gallery South Meadows in Reno, NV. Exceptional optometrist Warren Whitley, OD, perform screenings for macular degeneration and other eye diseases that can lead to vision loss when left untreated. Call the office to schedule an eye exam.

Macular Degeneration Q & A

What is macular degeneration?

Macular degeneration is an eye disease that can cause vision impairment, especially among people 50 and older, when not addressed. It may affect your ability to see fine details and your central vision. In its early stage, you might not have any symptoms, but routine eye exams can detect the problem.

What are the types of macular degeneration?

Two common forms of macular degeneration are:

Dry macular degeneration
Dry macular degeneration is the more common type, affecting about 80% of people with age-related macular degeneration. Light-sensitive parts of the macula in your eye start to break down, usually one eye at a time.

Wet macular degeneration
While the wet form of macular degeneration is less common, it can lead to more significant vision loss. Wet macular degeneration appears when abnormal blood vessels leak fluid and blood.

How does my optometrist diagnose macular degeneration?

To determine if you have macular degeneration, an Optic Gallery South Meadows specialist discusses your symptoms, lifestyle, and medical history. During vision testing, you read from an eye chart to test your vision at a distance and look through lenses to assess near vision. Your eye care provider completes a dilated eye exam using a lighted magnifier and offers imagining procedures with dye to detect leaking blood vessels. Your optometrist may have you look at a checkerboard grid and ask if straight lines appear wavy.