Diagnosis and treatment
What is age-related macular degeneration and how does it affect vision?
Updated:
The main things in brief
- AMD affects the macula - the central zone of the retina responsible for sharp vision
- Straight lines become distorted and a spot appears in the centre of the visual field
- Reading and recognising faces suffer, while side (peripheral) vision is usually preserved
- In the wet form of AMD I personally carry out treatment with intravitreal injections
Age-related macular degeneration
How to recognise AMD
- A straight line suddenly looks wavy or broken
- A blurred or dark spot appears in the centre of the visual field
- Recognising faces or reading small print becomes harder
- Colours seem less saturated than before
The dry and the wet form
The dry form of AMD develops slowly, through the build-up of metabolic products under the retina. The wet form is rarer but more aggressive: abnormal vessels start to grow under the retina and can worsen vision quickly, and it is this form that is treated with injections.
When it is worth coming in
If straight lines have started to look bent, if a spot has appeared in the centre of the visual field, or if reading and recognising faces have suddenly become harder. In the wet form of AMD, how quickly you come in directly affects the result of the treatment.
How I can help
I diagnose AMD, refer for additional examinations of the retina where needed, and personally carry out intravitreal injections in the wet form of AMD. In the dry form I follow the patient over time and advise on how to keep the progression under control.
What this page does not cover
AMD is an age-related disease which, in its wet form, can be held back with injections but not cured completely. There is no promise here of restoring vision that was lost before the treatment began.
Questions patients ask most often
Age-related macular degeneration
What is an intravitreal injection and does it hurt?
It is an injection of a medicine directly into the vitreous body of the eye, which stops the growth of abnormal vessels in the wet form of AMD. The procedure is short and done under local anaesthesia. I will explain it in more detail at the consultation: +38 (066) 916-57-23, appointments in Lviv, 7 Zaliznychna Street, Visium Clinic.
Can vision lost to AMD be restored?
Treating the wet form with injections most often stabilises vision and prevents further deterioration rather than bringing back acuity that has already been lost. The earlier you come in, the better the outlook. To book: +38 (066) 916-57-23, Lviv, 7 Zaliznychna Street, Visium Clinic.
Book an appointment
How do you book an appointment about this?
The service below has already been selected for you, so you can fill in the form straight away. You can of course change the choice.