Macular Degeneration Treatment in Tampa, Sebring & Gainesville
AMD is the leading cause of vision loss among Americans over 60. It takes central vision — reading, faces, driving — while leaving peripheral vision intact. Visual symptoms often do not appear until late, which is why annual dilated exams after 50 matter so much.
What is age-related macular degeneration?
AMD is a disease of the retina — the back of the eye — that leads to a loss of central vision. Although the exact cause is unknown, both genetic and environmental factors play a role. Specific risk factors include age, family history and smoking.
A Newsom Eye doctor can diagnose AMD during your eye examination. It is important that all adults over the age of 50 have an annual dilated eye exam to screen for it, because visual symptoms may not appear until late in the disease.
A dilated exam reveals “age spots” known as drusen in the macula, the central portion of the retina. There are two types of AMD: dry and wet.
- Dry AMD is the more common, slower form marked by drusen deposits.
- Wet AMD involves abnormal vessels that leak or bleed and moves much faster.
- Dry can convert to wet at any time — which is why self-screening matters.
Why daily Amsler grid testing matters
Dry AMD can convert to wet AMD at any time. For that reason all patients with dry AMD should perform daily Amsler grid testing to check for distortion or dark and blurred spots appearing in either eye.
If either of these appear, bleeding is likely and your retina specialist should be contacted immediately. Treatment is far more effective in the early stages of wet AMD, so self-screening for visual changes and regular follow-up are critical.
Check one eye at a time, with your reading glasses on. Straight lines that look wavy, bent or interrupted are the finding that matters.
- Test daily, one eye at a time, with reading glasses on.
- Look for wavy, bent or missing lines and dark or blurred spots.
- Call immediately if anything changes — do not wait for your next visit.
How AMD is diagnosed and treated
Treatment differs sharply between the two types, so identifying which you have is the first job.
Annual dilated exam
Recommended for all adults over 50. Drusen in the macula are visible long before you notice a change in your vision.
OCT imaging
A cross-section of the retinal layers that shows fluid, swelling and thickening — the earliest evidence that dry has converted to wet.
Dry AMD: nutritional therapy
There is currently no treatment for dry AMD, but taking high levels of antioxidant vitamins has been shown to slow progression. The recommended AREDS formula is available over the counter.
Dry AMD: daily self-testing
Amsler grid testing at home, every day, in each eye. This is how conversion to wet AMD gets caught while treatment still works well.
Wet AMD: injections and laser
Wet AMD treatments include laser and/or injections to reduce bleeding. Care is coordinated with a retina specialist.
Ongoing follow-up
Because treatment is much more effective in early wet AMD, regular follow-up with a retinal specialist is critical rather than optional.
Frequently asked questions about macular degeneration
What is macular degeneration?
AMD is a disease of the retina that causes loss of central vision. It is the leading cause of vision loss among Americans over 60. Peripheral vision is generally preserved.
What causes AMD?
The exact cause is unknown. Both genetic and environmental factors play a role. Specific risk factors include age, family history and smoking.
What is the difference between dry and wet AMD?
Dry AMD is the more common form, marked by drusen deposits in the macula, and progresses slowly. Wet AMD involves abnormal blood vessels that leak or bleed and can take central vision quickly.
Is there a treatment for dry AMD?
There is currently no treatment for dry AMD. However, taking high levels of antioxidant vitamins has been shown to slow progression. The recommended AREDS formula is available over the counter.
How is wet AMD treated?
Wet AMD treatments include laser and/or injections to reduce bleeding. Because treatment is much more effective in the early stages, prompt detection matters enormously.
What is an Amsler grid?
A grid of straight lines used to self-check for distortion. All patients with dry AMD should test daily in each eye. If lines appear wavy or you see dark or blurred spots, bleeding is likely and your retina specialist should be contacted immediately.
Will I go blind from AMD?
AMD affects central vision and rarely causes complete blindness, since peripheral vision is usually preserved. It can, however, make reading, driving and recognizing faces very difficult.
How often should I be examined?
All adults over 50 should have an annual dilated eye exam to screen for AMD, because visual symptoms may not appear until late in the disease. If you already have AMD, your doctor will set a shorter interval.
Five Convenient Florida Locations
Sebring
4211 US Highway 27 NSebring, FL 33870(863) 385-1544
Carrollwood
13904 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Ste 200Tampa, FL 33618(813) 908-2020
South Tampa
113 S Armenia AveTampa, FL 33609(813) 908-2020
Brooksville
14543 Cortez BlvdBrooksville, FL 34613(352) 596-4030
Gainesville
2521 NW 41 StGainesville, FL 32606(352) 377-7733
Catch it before it reaches your reading vision
AMD is silent until it is not. Book a dilated eye exam at any of our five Florida locations.