Macular Degeneration Testing
Macular degeneration comes with some early warning signs: shadowy areas in your vision, distorted vision, or unusually blurry vision. There are tests that can determine whether you might be experiencing macular degeneration, so it can be tested. Here’s what you need to know.
How Do You Test for Macular Degeneration?
An Amsler grid is the easiest and most direct test. Even better, it’s entirely non-invasive. With an Amsler grid, you’ll be shown a grid of straight lines, with a dot at the very center. If some of the lines are blurred or wavy, or if there are shadows seen on the grid, then you may have macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is one of the most common types of vision loss, and impacts up to 10 million Americans.
Becaues the test for macular degeneration is so simple and non-invasive, there are no downsides to getting this test. If you think that you should get this test, you should ask your optometrist about it. Because macular degeneration isn’t common, it may not be a part of a general vision exam.
How Can You Treat Macular Degeneration?
What happens if your test shows that you’re experiencing macular degeneration? There are treatment plans. One of these treatments is called “anti-VEGF” therapy, which involves injecting a substance that can support the growth of new blood cells within the eye. The treatment plan depends on the type of macular degeneration, the most common of which is age-related.
Your optometrist will be able to discuss treatment options for you. Your vision is unlikely to get better, but it’s possible to stop it from getting worse—presently, macular degeneration can be slowed, but not reversed. This is one reason why it’s so important to identify macular degeneration early on.
