senior woman with AMD

Macular Degeneration

Know your risks and preserve your vision

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What Is Macular Degeneration?

Macular degeneration, also called AMD or age-related macular degeneration, occurs when the macula — the central portion of the retina — begins to wear down, causing central vision loss.

People who suffer from AMD tend to lose their “straight ahead” vision, making it difficult to read, drive, and recognize faces. 

Total vision loss is unlikely, as there's typically enough peripheral vision to allow for other activities of daily life. 

Man with macular degeneration


Types of Macular Degeneration:

macular degeneration types

  • Dry AMD: small deposits called drusen damage retinal nerve cells and reduce vision
  • Wet AMD: new blood vessels form that leak and release fluid that harms the macula. This is a more severe form of AMD that can more quickly cause vision loss.

Don’t Let AMD Rob You of Your Sight

An estimated 196 million people are living with macular degeneration worldwide. Although those affected by it rarely lose all their vision, the vast majority suffer from some degree of vision loss. 

While there is currently no cure for AMD, there are certain treatments that can slow its progression — and low vision aids that can increase independent functioning.

If you think you're at risk or are experiencing symptoms, contact A1A Family EyeCare today. We can diagnose and help treat the disease.


Give Your Eyes the Care They Deserve

Macular Degeneration Treatment in Southside

Our optometry practice in Southside

Photograph of James A. Horning
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Saturday 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
  • Dec. 25 Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Cigna
  • Spectera
  • Superior Vision
  • Davis Vision
  • EyeMed

Risk Factors for AMD

  • Aged 50+

    The onset of AMD usually happens over the age of 50 and increases substantially with time. For instance, a 2% risk at age 55 can turn into a 30% risk by age 75.

  • Lifestyle factors

    Smoking or eating a diet high in saturated fat can increase your risk of AMD. Furthermore, these habits increase the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease–two additional risk factors for AMD.

  • Obesity

    Research shows that people with a BMI of over 30 double their chances of developing AMD.

  • Family History

    If you have a close relative with AMD, you have a higher risk of developing this eye condition.


How to Stop the Progression of Macular Degeneration

While there isn’t yet a cure for AMD or an effective way of reversing vision loss that has already occurred, you can take certain steps and adopt new habits to slow the progression of the disease.

Furthermore, certain treatments can slow its progression and low vision aids that can increase independent functioning.

Talk to us about how you can slow the progression of the disease and avoid vision loss by contacting A1A Family EyeCare today. 

Photograph

Patient Reviews
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- Nov. 28, 2023
Dr. Joly is the best! She is very thorough, incredibly knowledgable, and kind/compassionate/caring. ... I would highly recommend her to anyone!
- Nov. 08, 2023
A1A Eye Care have the best staff in town and great Doctors. They take care of my whole family and ha... ve done so for years now. Friendly and knowledgeable and take time for each person to not only explain whats going on with your eyes and to also answer any questions you have. Very much a family atmosphere when you are there, no one better in town!!!
- Oct. 20, 2023
I’m so appreciative for being able to be seen here. Firstly, of the women at the front desk and th... e MAs are so sweet and they’re extremely well organized. They even called me before to confirm details so that my check in process was smooth. Dr. Joly is a really skilled physician with a great bedside manner, and she gave me a very thorough exam. She was also really empathetic and took the time to explain things and make sure I knew what to do for my eye. They even squeezed me in for a close follow up even though I know they’re extremely booked. I’m so grateful for their help!
- Oct. 19, 2023
Always a great experience! The staff is great with my two kids.
- Sep. 20, 2023
Dr horning is 👍 great.
- Sep. 13, 2023
Everyone is always friendly and knowledgeable. I had a stroke and my vision has suffered so I took t... he classes and they helped. Plus Dr. Horning is always wonderful. Very thankful for my experience.
- Sep. 03, 2023
Awesome service! Doctors are component and staff was super helpful 🙂
- Aug. 21, 2023
Both Dr Horning and office staff were friendly, kind, engaging knowledgable, efficient, and very he... lpful. Really impressive!
- Aug. 11, 2023
Front desk staff, Abbie (sp?) and Dr. Joly were just amazing! Love this office.
- Jun. 25, 2023
Best eye care facility ever. I have been going here for years and they are always very vigilant abou... t my eye health due to medical issues.
- Jun. 19, 2023
Dr Horning is an exceptional provider and his staff is great too!
- Jun. 15, 2023
Kids with disabilities are treated with kindness and respect!
- May. 25, 2023
This place is great! I know I’m not the easiest to please when it comes to glasses and contacts bu... t every time I go, everyone there is patient and kind. The front staff took the time to figure out and check my insurance when I had no information with me and no idea where it was through. They were able find it and save me hundreds of dollars. The tech who took me in for the prelim testing was kind and funny and patient with my eye “issues” (I hate things close to my eyes) and was able to successfully perform all duties without me hyperventilating. lol Dr mattox was very nice and took the time to talk about my past script and my new script and was able to answer all my questions regarding contacts . She was the first to find some where I could actually see out of instead of blaming my condition. I didn’t purchase glasses this last visit simply because my prescription didn’t change enough to warrant the cost. I’ve bought glasses from them before (during COVID) and ended up not liking how they looked once the mask was off and they were nice enough to let me swap them out. A complete redo without a hassle. I Highly recommend the office.
- May. 12, 2023
I love everything and everyone at A1A Family EyeCare! I recommend them to everyone!
- Apr. 21, 2023
Great care I grace this provider a 10 +
- Apr. 11, 2023
Dr. Brown is always great but recently, she went above and beyond when I had an issue. Hard to find ... that these days!!
- Mar. 18, 2023
Good and attentive staff . Dr. Horning is a good doctor.
- Mar. 13, 2023
Dr. Horning is skilled, thorough, patient, and polite. Highly recommend.
- Nov. 11, 2021
I came in and was seen before I could even finish the intake paper work! The service was extremely f... ast and the staff was so friendly.
- Mar. 29, 2021
Outstanding service in a beautiful setting. The staff and Doctor were professional and polite. This ... was my first eye exam in more years than i care to share. My outcome was great and I credit everyone for making me feel like i mattered. The visit, frames and lenses were easily affordable. I highly recommend A1A Family Eyecare and VSP vision insurance.

View All 97 Reviews

Macular Degeneration FAQs

What are the first signs of AMD?

You may have AMD and not know it. Typically, symptoms may not develop until the advanced stage of the eye disease.

First signs of AMD may include: 

  • Blurred vision
  • Blind spots or dark spots
  • Straight lines appearing distorted or wavy
  • Faded colors 

 For early detection and better outcomes, it's important to undergo regular eye exams at our eye clinic, especially if you have a family history of AMD or other risk factors. 

How common is macular degeneration?

Statistics indicate that 8.7% of the world population has macular degeneration. The rate of AMD is expected to increase from 196 million in 2022 to 288 million by 2040.

What is the best treatment for macular degeneration?

Currently, the most common treatment for wet AMD is the injection of medications called anti-VEGF agents. High levels of VEGF in the eye increase the formation of abnormal blood vessels that cause much of the damage in wet AMD.


senior couple with AMD wearing glasses

Don’t let AMD stop you from doing the things you love.

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