Consider Getting Tested at Around Age 40
Ophthalmologistsand optometrists diagnosemacular degenerationas part of a comprehensive eye exam.
Accurate diagnosis is made through a combination of a clinical exam and specific tests.
These can include retinal photography, angiography, and optical coherence tomography.
Verywell / Michela Buttignol
Macular degeneration is usually classified asatrophic(dry) orexudative(wet) forms.
They will dilate your eyes to see a magnified view of the macula.
A dilated retinal exam allows the doctor to see a magnified view of the macula.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
They may note a mottled appearance because of pigmentary changes in the macula.
In the early stage of macular degeneration, your healthcare provider may find drusen.
These are yellow-colored deposits that form underneath the retina.
Ophthalmoscopy
An ophthalmoscope is an instrument used to examine the eyes interior structures, especially the retina.
Your healthcare provider will be able to detect any damage or changes in the retina and macula.
If fluorescent patches appear, your healthcare provider may suspect leaking blood vessels in the retina.
This includes the macula, optic nerve, retina, and choroid.
OCT can identify regions of the retina that are thinning, which indicates geographic atrophy.
An OCT test is able to show changes in the retina in greater detail than any other instrument.
Fundus Autofluorescence Imaging
This imaging method uses the bodys natural fluorescence to study the retina.
Certain structures in the body will light up when exposed to light.
Atrophied sections of the eye do not light up, which may indicate a diagnosis of macular degeneration.
Amsler Grid
Your ophthalmologist may ask you to look at anAmslergrid.
This grid will help you notice any blurry or blank spots in your field of vision.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Self Checks and At-Home Testing
Report sudden changes in your vision to your healthcare provider.
Some changes can mark the beginning of macular degeneration.
you’re able to quickly test your vision at home with the Amsler grid.
Take a look at the grid standing about 12 to 15 inches away.
double-check you are wearing your readingglassesif you wear them regularly.
Cover one eye and look directly at the dot in the center of the grid with your uncovered eye.
Note if any of the lines appear bent or wavy.
Now, cover your other eye and test your vision the same way.
Call your ophthalmologist or optometrist right away if you notice any changes on the grid.
Age-related macular degeneration causes vision changes over time.Treatingthese changes early can help to slow or prevent further vision loss.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) has provided a helpful Amsler grid for your convenience.
This can help early detection of age-related macular degeneration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Macular degeneration occurs instages.
Vision loss doesnt become a possibility until the later stages.
Most people with macular degeneration will keep their vision for most of their lives.
Thats why its important to have a routine eye exam.
A common early symptom of wet macular degeneration is that straight lines appear wavy and distorted.
For dry macular degeneration, you may experience blurred vision.
Macular degeneration usually begins at age 55 years and older.
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store your sight with an Amsler grid.
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