Tests You May Need:
To monitor your condition and how well treatment is working, your doctor may do tests such as:
-
OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) – shows detailed images of your retina
-
Fluorescein Angiography – checks for leaky or abnormal blood vessels
These tests may be repeated at follow-up visits. Most people with macular degeneration do not go completely blind. While central vision can be affected, side (peripheral) vision usually remains.
Types of Treatment for Macular Degeneration:
Most people with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are treated with medications called anti-VEGF injections. These help slow or stop the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the eye that can leak and cause vision loss.
Common Anti-VEGF Medications:
-
Avastin
-
Lucentis
-
Eylea
These medications are injected directly into the eye. Injections are usually given:
-
Every 4 to 6 weeks
-
For at least 3 months
-
Many people will need ongoing injections, though often with longer breaks between treatments over time
Important Note
Avastin is commonly used worldwide for wet AMD, even though it was originally developed for other conditions. Talk to your eye doctor about the benefits and risks of using it
Other Possible Treatments:
Some eye doctors may recommend steroid injections to reduce inflammation and help manage AMD:
-
Triesence (shorter-acting)
-
Ozurdex (longer-acting)
Your eye doctor will decide which treatment is best based on your specific case.
Risks of Eye Injections
Complications from eye injections are rare, but it’s important to know the possible risks:
-
Infection
-
Bleeding inside the eye
-
Retinal detachment
-
Cataracts
-
Increased eye pressure (intraocular pressure)
Most of these issues can be treated, but in rare cases, complications may lead to permanent vision loss.
Always talk to your eye doctor if you have any questions or concerns about your treatment plan.
What Does the Injection Feel Like?
You will be given eye drops to freeze your eye for the injection. You may still feel something, but the pain should be minimal.
What Should I Expect After the Injection?
-
If you eye tears up, burns, itches, or feels like there is a grain of sand in it, use artificial tears to sooth and lubricate your eye
-
Using a cool compress over your closed eye can help make it feel better
-
It is common for vessel on the surface of your eye to break and bleed. This red spot is like a bruise and will go to away in about 7 to 10 days. Your tears may be a bit red from this bleeding. This is normal
-
Sometimes there is a small air bubble in the injection. You may see this as a small circle or black dot at the bottom of your vision for 2 to 3 days
After Your Injection
For 3 days, do not:
-
Rub your eye
-
Play contact sports of do vigorous exercise such as hockey, yoga, or weight lifting
-
Swim, or go in a hot tub or sauna (a regular shower is OK but try not to get water right in your eyes)
-
Wash or rinse your eye with tap water or anything other than artificial tears
-
Use make up around your eyelids or eyelashes
-
Work in dirty or dusty conditions
306-949-2028
3156 Avonhurst Drive, Regina Sask. S4R 3J7
.png)
Monday to Friday - 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Macular Degeneration
What is Macular Degeneration?
The retina is a thin, delicate layer at the back of the eye that turns light into images. The macula is a very small but important part in the center of the retina. It gives you the sharp, central vision needed for activities like reading, watching TV, and recognizing faces.
There are two types of age-related macular degeneration (AMD):
1. Dry AMD
The most common form:
-
Changes happen slowly over months or years
-
Currently, there is no treatment for dry AMD,
but regular monitoring is important
2. Wet AMD
Less common, but more serious:
-
Changes can happen quickly and may lead to
sudden vision loss
-
Treatments are available that can help slow or
stop vision loss if started early
What Causes Macular Degeneration?
Aging is the most common cause of macular degeneration. As we get older, changes can happen in the retina—especially in the macula, the part responsible for sharp, central vision.
In some cases, abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina. These new blood vessels can leak fluid or bleed, which can damage the retina and cause vision loss. This is more common in wet AMD.
An eye exam with your eye doctor is the best way to find out if macular degeneration is the cause of your vision changes. Early detection can help protect your sight.
How is Macular Degeneration Treated?
The retina is a thin, delicate layer at the back of the eye that turns light into images. The macula is a very small but important part in the center of the retina. It gives you the sharp, central vision needed for activities like reading, watching TV, and recognizing faces.
Not all types of macular degeneration can be treated. Dry AMD does not currently have a treatment, but wet AMD can sometimes be managed with ongoing care.
The main goals of treatment are to:
-
Stabilize your vision
-
Slow further vision loss
There is no cure for macular degeneration, and it usually cannot be reversed, but treatment can often slow the disease and help protect the vision you still have.
-
Treatment may be needed regularly for months or even years, depending on your condition
-
How much your vision improves depends on how much damage has already happened
-
Even with treatment, your vision may never return to normal
-
About 1 in 3 people see significant improvement in vision with treatment
-
Vision may still decline over time due to scarring or atrophy (thinning of the retina)
-
If treatment is not done, your vision could worsen more quickly
Key Points:
Contact Your Eye Doctor if You Have One of the Following Symptoms
-
A lots of pain in your eye that does not go away
-
A major change in the vision that you still have
-
A lots of redness all around your eye
-
New flashes of light, floaters or black spots that do not go away
What is Macular Degeneration?
The retina is a thin, delicate layer at the back of the eye that turns light into images. The macula is a very small but important part in the center of the retina. It gives you the sharp, central vision needed for activities like reading, watching TV, and recognizing faces.
There are two types of age-related macular degeneration (AMD):
1. Dry AMD
-
The most common form.
-
Changes happen slowly over months or years.
-
Currently, there is no treatment for dry AMD, but regular monitoring is important.
2. Wet AMD
Less common, but more serious:
-
Changes can happen quickly and may lead to sudden vision loss.
-
Treatments are available that can help slow or stop vision loss if started early.
What Causes Macular Degeneration?
Aging is the most common cause of macular degeneration. As we get older, changes can happen in the retina especially in the macula, the part responsible for sharp, central vision.
In some cases, abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina. These new blood vessels can leak fluid or bleed, which can damage the retina and cause vision loss. This is more common in wet AMD.
An eye exam with your eye doctor is the best way to find out if macular degeneration is the cause of your vision changes. Early detection can help protect your sight.
How Is Macular Degeneration Treated?
Not all types of macular degeneration can be treated. Dry AMD does not currently have a treatment, but wet AMD can sometimes be managed with ongoing care.
The main goals of treatment are to:
-
Stabilize your vision
-
Slow further vision loss
There is no cure for macular degeneration, and it usually cannot be reversed, but treatment can often slow the disease and help protect the vision you still have.
Tests You May need:
To monitor your condition and how well treatment is working, your doctor may do tests such as:
-
OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) – shows detailed images of your retina
-
Fluorescein Angiography – checks for leaky or abnormal blood vessels
Key Points:
-
Treatment may be needed regularly for months or even years, depending on your condition.
-
How much your vision improves depends on how much damage has already happened.
-
Even with treatment, your vision may never return to normal.
-
About 1 in 3 people see significant improvement in vision with treatment.
-
Vision may still decline over time due to scarring or atrophy (thinning of the retina).
-
If treatment is not done, your vision could worsen more quickly.
These tests may be repeated at follow-up visits.
Most people with macular degeneration do not go completely blind. While central vision can be affected, side (peripheral) vision usually remains.
Types of Treatment for Macular Degeneration:
Most people with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are treated with medications called anti-VEGF injections. These help slow or stop the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the eye that can leak and cause vision loss.
Common Anti-VEGF Medications:
-
Avastin
-
Lucentis
-
Eylea
These medications are injected directly into the eye. Injections are usually given:
-
Every 4 to 6 weeks
-
For at least 3 months
-
Many people will need ongoing injections, though often with longer breaks between treatments over time
Important Note
Avastin is commonly used worldwide for wet AMD, even though it was originally developed for other conditions. Talk to your eye doctor about the benefits and risks of using it.
Other Possible Treatments:
Some eye doctors may recommend steroid injections to reduce inflammation and help manage AMD:
-
Triesence (shorter-acting)
-
Ozurdex (longer-acting)
Your eye doctor will decide which treatment is best based on your specific case.
Risks of Eye Injections
Complications from eye injections are rare, but it’s important to know the possible risks:
-
Infection
-
Bleeding inside the eye
-
Retinal detachment
-
Cataracts
-
Increased eye pressure (intraocular pressure)
Most of these issues can be treated, but in rare cases, complications may lead to permanent vision loss.
What does the injection feel like?
You will be given eye drops to freeze your eye for the injection. You may still feel something, but the pain should be minimal.
What should I expect after the injection?
-
If you eye tears up, burns, itches, or feels like there is a grain of sand in it, use artificial tears to sooth and lubricate your eye.
-
Using a cool compress over your closed eye can help make it feel better.
-
It is common for vessel on the surface of your eye to break and bleed. This red spot is like a bruise and will go to away in about 7 to 10 days. Your tears may be a bit red from this bleeding. This is normal.
-
Sometimes there is a small air bubble in the injection. You may see this as a small circle or black dot at the bottom of your vision for 2 to 3 days.
Contact Your Eye Doctor if You Have One of the Following Symptoms:
-
A lot of pain in your eye that does not go away
-
A major change in your vision that you still have
-
A lot of redness around your eye
-
New flashes of light, floaters or black spots that do not go away
.png)
306-949-2028
eyesurgeonsofregina@gmail.com
3156 Avonhurst Drive, Regina Sask. S4R 3J7
Monday to Friday - 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.