BSM Eye Clinic.
BSM Eye Clinic.
BSM Eye Clinic.
BSM Eye Clinic.
BSM Eye Clinic.
BSM Eye Clinic.
Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration: watching for straight lines that look bent or a blurry center of vision
About
What Is Macular Degeneration?
There is a surgery optimized for your eyes.
The macula is the center of the retina, where photoreceptor cells are densely packed, and it is responsible for the core functions of vision.
Macular degeneration occurs when waste deposits build up in the macula with age and its function declines. As the leading cause of blindness in older adults, it is especially important for people aged 50 and over and high-risk patients to have regular checkups so the disease can be detected early and an appropriate treatment plan can be made.
BSM Eye Clinic
BSM Eye Clinic
BSM Eye Clinic
Causes of Macular Degeneration
It mainly develops after age 50 and, along with diabetes, is one of the most serious causes of blindness.
The key cause is the growth of abnormal new blood vessels: these fragile vessels can burst or leak fluid that destroys photoreceptor cells, causing the disease to worsen.
Who Is at
Higher Risk?
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1
Age 60 and overAging is the main cause of macular degeneration. As we age, waste builds up in the retina and macular cells lose function, sharply increasing the risk.
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2
WomenStatistically, the condition is more common in women than in men. Hormonal changes after menopause and a relatively longer life expectancy are known to play a role.
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3
Older smokersSmoking is one of the strongest risk factors. Harmful substances in tobacco damage retinal blood vessels and interfere with oxygen supply, raising the risk 2–3 times compared with non-smokers.
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4
High blood pressureHigh blood pressure makes the tiny blood vessels in the retina more prone to damage. Poor circulation can reduce the nutrient supply to the macula, triggering or worsening degeneration.
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5
High myopiaThe eyeball is elongated beyond normal, leaving the retina thin and weak. Even minor stress can easily damage the macula, so special care is needed even at a young age.
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6
Family historyGenetic factors play a strong role in this disease. If a parent or sibling has macular degeneration, your own risk is higher, so early screening is essential.
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7
Insufficient intake of antioxidants and luteinPigments that protect the macula (such as lutein) cannot be produced by the body. If you don’t get enough green and yellow vegetables or antioxidant nutrients, your eyes’ defenses weaken and they become vulnerable to oxidative stress.
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8
Already affected in one eyeMacular degeneration tends to develop in both eyes one after the other. If one eye is already affected, the healthy eye is very likely to develop it too, so thorough preventive care is needed.
Could I Have Macular Degeneration?
If you have any of the following symptoms, visit an eye clinic right away for a detailed eye examination.
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Decreased vision
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Objects look distorted
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Straight lines, such as bathroom tiles or road center lines, look bent
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Reduced contrast sensitivity (the ability to tell colors and light from dark)
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Gaps appear in the text when reading books or newspapers
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A permanent dark spot in the center of your vision
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The center of objects looks dark or empty
Macular Degeneration Self-Test (Amsler Grid)
Do the lines look wavy or broken, or is the dot hard to see?
These are possible signs of macular degeneration. Please visit us right away for a detailed eye examination.
- Get readyWear your usual glasses or contact lenses and sit in a well-lit place.
- Keep your distanceCover one eye and hold the grid 30cm away.
- FocusStare at the round dot in the center of the grid.
- CheckNote whether any lines look wavy or broken, then repeat with the other eye.
Typical Symptoms of Macular Degeneration
In the early stage, metamorphopsia appears: straight lines such as bathroom tiles or the outlines of buildings look wavy or bent. As it progresses, a central scotoma develops, where the middle of your vision is blacked out, so gaps appear when reading or the key part of an object seems erased.
Caution!
Because we have two eyes, when only one eye is affected the healthy eye often compensates, so many people don’t notice any symptoms. It is important to cover one eye at a time and check each eye separately.
Metamorphopsia (early)
Central scotoma (intermediate to late)
Injection Treatment for Macular Degeneration
An anti-angiogenic antibody is injected directly into the eye to make unwanted new blood vessels regress without damaging retinal photoreceptors. It can help maintain and improve vision, but repeat treatments are needed because the effect lasts 4–6 weeks. After treatment, antibiotics are used to prevent infection, and follow-up checkups are required for a period of time.
US FDA clinical trials have shown that 95% of patients maintained their vision and 30–40% regained vision. (Lucentis)
Injection Treatment Schedule
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Initial treatment
Typically, three intensive injections are given one month apart.
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Additional treatment
Even if symptoms improve, vision can decline again as the drug wears off, so additional injections are given depending on your progress.
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Ongoing care
Macular degeneration is not cured but requires consistent management. Vision must be preserved through regular checkups and ongoing treatment.
Precautions After Intravitreal Injection
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Before treatment Please let us know
- Whether you take aspirin or blood thinners
- Whether you have high blood pressure or other systemic conditions
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After treatment Please follow these instructions
- Take your prescribed medication at the scheduled times
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Visit us right away if you have severe pain or redness
(although rare, side effects such as secondary infection or increased intraocular pressure can occur)