As an optometrist at Amplify EyeCare of Greater Long Beach in Bellflower, one of the most common questions Dr. Eric […]
Macular degeneration is a very common eye disease in people aged 65 and older and it’s a leading cause of vision loss worldwide. There are different treatment options available which will be explained below.
Macular degeneration comes in two types: dry (atrophic) and wet (neovascular). Dry macular degeneration is the more common of the two, accounting for about 80-90% of macular degeneration cases. It occurs when the macula thins over time, leading to blurry vision or blind spots in your central vision. If you're experiencing blurry vision or blind spots in your central vision, it's a good idea to look for a low vision specialist for an evaluation. On the other hand, wet macular degeneration happens when abnormal blood vessels grow underneath the retina, leaking fluid and causing rapid central vision loss.
While macular degeneration is not curable, the good news is that there are various treatment options available. Each type of macular degeneration has different treatment approaches. As your eye care professional, it's crucial for me to help you understand these treatments to help you make informed decisions.
Dry macular degeneration treatment is primarily focused on slowing its progression and managing symptoms. Unfortunately, there's no cure yet for this condition. But research is ongoing, and promising prospects are on the horizon. If you're looking for a low vision optometrist to discuss treatment options, we're here to help at our clinic.
A significant part of dry macular degeneration treatment involves taking specific nutritional supplements. Studies have shown that vitamins C, E, beta-carotene, zinc, and copper can slow the progression of the disease in people with moderate to severe macular degeneration.
Another crucial part of managing dry macular degeneration includes making specific lifestyle changes. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding smoking can go a long way in managing this condition. Regular check-ups at our eye care clinic are also critical. As a reliable low vision specialist, Dr. Eric T. Ikeda is here to support you through this journey.
Unlike dry macular degeneration, there are more treatment options for wet macular degeneration, which aim to stop or slow the growth of those abnormal blood vessels and limit the damage they cause.
The most common wet macular degeneration treatment involves injections of drugs known as anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) agents. These drugs stop new blood vessel growth and reduce the leakage of fluid that leads to macular damage. Regular injections of these drugs can help stop and even reverse vision loss in many people with wet macular degeneration.
Photodynamic therapy is another option for treating wet macular degeneration. This treatment involves injecting a light-sensitive drug into the bloodstream and then shining a laser into the eye to activate the drug. The drug destroys the abnormal blood vessels without causing significant damage to surrounding tissues.
If you're in need of such treatments, it's important to visit our qualified low vision specialist for the best outcomes.
Our eye doctor at Amplify EyeCare of Greater Long Beach is your best ally in managing macular degeneration. With a tailored treatment plan based on your specific condition and regular monitoring, we can aim to preserve as much of your vision as possible and help you maintain your quality of life.
We're here to provide personalized eye care solutions. Reach out to us at (562) 925-6591 to schedule an appointment with our experienced optometrist, Dr. Eric T. Ikeda, and let's discuss the best macular degeneration treatment for you.
If you don’t already have a trusted optometrist or you live too far from our optometry clinic in Bellflower, you could start your online search by typing in phrases such as "low vision specialist near me," "low vision optometrist near me," or "eye specialist near me."
Understanding this eye disease and consulting your eye doctor is so crucial to properly treat macular degeneration. When detected early enough, damage from AMD can be prevented by taking the proper precautions. If the condition has advanced to a stage that could cause vision loss, there is effective treatment which directly blocks the source of the damage. Please don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment at our office so you can be checked for macular degeneration and provided the proper treatment when necessary. You can schedule an eye exam with our eye doctor by calling (562) 925-6591. Patients searching for advanced medical eye care for AMD visit our clinic from all over California, and we are proud to be a leading provider of medical eye care services for patients from Bellflower, Long Beach, Lakewood, and Los Angeles.
I haven't actually used the optometrist side, so my review is limited to the vision therapy offered. This office was recommended by my occupational therapist for the treatment of my double vision following a stroke.
Love this location. I had a brain injury accident from day one one. All the team make you feel you still important and hope in the horizon after when the medical system fell you miserably. Dr. Ikeda very professional and very understanding about your issue. Two tombs up.
My husband and I were immediately impressed with Dr Ikeda. I was hit by a car while cycling which caused broken bones and three brain injuries. The brain injuries caused double vision. Dr. Ikeda examined my eyes and got me started on vision therapy with his occupational therapist who specializes in vision therapy. She (Chris) is absolutely great. I am impressed with the array of tools used to help recover my binocular vision. I am doing things I never thought were possible (balance boards etc). Chris pushes me and keeps me motivated. I really enjoy my sessions with her. The office staff is always friendly and they have a wonderful appointment reminder tool that makes it easy to keep my calendar up to date. I am happy the rehab center at Little Co. of Mary recommended them!!
The Vision Therapy is handled in a separate office through a different door from the shared waiting room. Chris, the vision therapist, has a wide and varied assortment of tools, equipment and resources to best evaluate and treat most vision issues. After just a few visits, my double vision became easier to control, using exercises developed during the therapy process. It was time well-spent.
I have been coming here since I can remember. I love it here. The staff is so amazing and nice. They explain everything they gonna do and never make you feel rushed. Dr. Ikeda has always been my doctor and I would never want another one. He is the doctor for my whole family and is always asking how everyone is doing. I am also so crazy about picking out my frames and have to try so many and each person who helps me take the time and lets me try them all on. I would never want to go anywhere else! I definitely would recommend this office to anyone looking for a great eye doctor.
This is not for the eye exam but for the frames selection portion. I brought my prescription from Kaiser here with my VSP insurance. The reception staff was very polite and professional. Manny helped me to pick out frames and explain my coverage. Very helpful and patient not like the individual at the other place I rated here on Yelp. I was running late and he still helped me and was not bothered at all. I am so glad I came here ..........very pleased.
Very professional staff and pleasant.
As an optometrist at Amplify EyeCare of Greater Long Beach in Bellflower, one of the most common questions Dr. Eric […]
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