111-29 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, NY 11375
111-29 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, NY 11375
As you age, protecting your vision becomes increasingly important—especially when facing conditions like Macular Degeneration, a leading cause of vision loss. Prioritizing eye health is essential to maintaining your overall well-being. At Medex Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Queens, New York, experienced ophthalmologists provide expert care and effective strategies to manage and slow the progression of Macular Degeneration. If you notice unusual changes in your vision, don’t wait—schedule an appointment to take proactive steps toward preserving your sight and living a healthier future.
Macular degeneration is an eye disease that results in a change in vision. It causes a part of your retina, called the macula, to thin. It’s a common condition that gradually blurs your central vision. As a result, you’ll have difficulty with daily activities, such as reading and driving. Also called age-related macular degeneration or AMD, this disease is the top cause of vision loss in adults over the age of 50.
The expert ophthalmologists at the Medex Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Queens, NY detect early signs of macular degeneration. Unless you’re already experiencing vision loss, your eye doctor typically finds evidence of macular degeneration during a routine comprehensive eye exam. That’s another good reason to maintain a regular schedule of checkups with your ophthalmologist or optician.
A healthy lifestyle not only increases your chances for longevity, but also reduces the risk of developing many diseases, including macular degeneration. Healthful lifestyle choices include:
Smoking also increases your risk of developing AMD. If you currently smoke, ask your eye doctor for help quitting. If you have other medical conditions — such as high blood pressure, obesity or diabetes, — take control of your health now. You can do it with guidance from a specialist at Medex, which employs experts in more than a dozen medical specialties, all in one location.
Macular degeneration can affect one or both eyes. Symptoms usually come on gradually, which is why early detection prevents further deterioration. Signs of early-onset macular degeneration include:
If these symptoms are present in only one eye, you may not notice them. As the condition progresses, however, the blurry area at the center of your vision gets larger. You may notice that colors don’t appear as bright as they used to. Eventually, you may even begin to have difficulty recognizing faces.
Macular degeneration is associated with aging, but research indicates that your genes also play a role. You have the most control over environmental factors and lifestyle choices, such as smoking, inactivity and obesity. By overcoming them, you lower your risk of developing this eye condition.
Exposure to direct sunlight over the course of several years may be a contributing factor. Other health conditions, such as diseases that affect your blood pressure and heart, increase your risk of developing AMD.
There are two types of macular degeneration. The most common type is called dry macular degeneration. This form of AMD progresses slowly. It may eventually progress to wet macular degeneration, which leads to severe and permanent vision loss.
The dry form, which is early stage AMD, currently has no treatment that’s been approved by the FDA. Consuming a healthy diet and taking nutritional supplements that include antioxidant vitamins reduce the risk of progressing to the wet form of AMD.
The goal of the treatment for wet AMD is to stop abnormal blood vessel growth while preventing fluid from leaking into your retina. To accomplish this, your ophthalmologist injects medication into your eye to shrink blood vessels. Laser therapy also may be used to destroy abnormal blood vessels.
Getting regular eye exams is the best way to ensure that any eye disease is caught as early as possible. Make good lifestyle choices, such as staying active, choosing healthy foods and learning to manage stress. These preventative steps help you to look good, feel good and reduce your risk of developing AMD and other health conditions.
In Queens, the Medex Diagnostic and Treatment Center is a multi-specialty practice where you can get expert medical care in multiple areas — including ophthalmology, primary care, cardiology, pain management and more. Contact your ophthalmologist for expert care of your eyes to prevent or address macular degeneration.
We can help you find a doctor. Call us: (718) 275-8900
Licensed by the state of New York, Medex is an Article 28 diagnostic and treatment center. Our physicians provide comprehensive care for patients of all ages in the Forest Hills, Queens area, for over 15 years. Start receiving expert care now by calling or scheduling an appointment online with one of the skilled specialists.
1. What happens if you stop eye injections for macular degeneration?
If you stop eye injections—typically anti-VEGF injections used for wet macular degeneration—the abnormal blood vessels in the retina may continue to grow and leak. This can lead to permanent vision loss or worsening of your condition. Regular injections help control the disease and prevent further damage, so stopping treatment without medical guidance is not advised.
2. Is macular degeneration inherited from mother or father?
Macular degeneration can be inherited from either parent. The condition often has a genetic component, particularly age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Certain genes linked to AMD, like CFH and ARMS2, can be passed down from your mother or father. However, having a family history only increases your risk—it doesn’t guarantee you’ll develop the disease.
3. Can you have drusen without macular degeneration?
Yes, you can have drusen—yellow deposits under the retina—without having macular degeneration. Small, hard drusen can appear as part of normal aging and may not cause vision problems. However, large or soft drusen are often associated with early signs of AMD, especially if they increase in number or size over time.
4. Can cataract surgery cause macular degeneration?
Cataract surgery does not cause macular degeneration, but it may make existing AMD more noticeable or accelerate its progression in some individuals. The surgery itself is safe and commonly performed, but patients with AMD should discuss potential risks and benefits with their ophthalmologist before proceeding.
5. Is macular degeneration a disability?
Yes, macular degeneration can be considered a disability, especially in its advanced stages when it significantly impairs central vision. People with severe vision loss from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) may qualify for disability benefits, depending on how much the condition limits their ability to work or perform daily activities. In the U.S., the Social Security Administration includes certain vision impairments—like central visual acuity of 20/200 or worse—in its disability criteria.
6. How fast does macular degeneration progress?
The progression rate of macular degeneration depends on the type:
Dry AMD (the most common form) progresses slowly, often over several years. Some people may not notice symptoms until the disease is advanced.
Wet AMD progresses more rapidly, sometimes causing serious vision changes within weeks or months if not treated. However, timely treatment (such as anti-VEGF injections) can significantly slow or stabilize the disease.
Medex Diagnostic and Treatment Center
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