Ophthalmology

Macular degeneration is a hardening of the retinal arteries that leads to vision loss. When retinal arteries harden, they lose functionality, restricting blood flow to the retina. If the retina doesn’t receive the proper amount of oxygen and nutrients, vision problems occur. This type of eye condition only effects central vision, not peripheral, so total blindness does not occur even in the most severe cases. Age-related macular degeneration is the most common cause of vision loss for people 50 and older and its prevalence increases with age. Surgical treatment can help prevent further vision loss, but typically does not restore lost vision. If you’re having difficulty reading or seeing small details, have your eye doctor check for macular degeneration as soon as possible. 

Diabetes can cause abnormal changes in the blood vessels of the retina and may also change the shape of the lens of the eye leading to blurry vision, floaters and spots in side vision, poor night vision, shadowed central vision, vision loss and eye pain. If left untreated, it sometimes leads to blindness. While there is no cure for diabetic retinopathy, Associated Ophthalmologists can provide effective treatments to improve or preserve vision.