Macular Degeneration Specialist
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Emerald Eye Center Inc.
Natalia Tilki, D.O.
Ophthalmologist located in Encino, CA
Macular degeneration is a leading cause of blindness in people 50 and over. If you have macular degeneration, your vision straight ahead is impaired. While there’s no cure for macular degeneration, early diagnosis and proper treatment help maintain your vision and prevent the disease from progressing. Come to Natalia Tilki, OD, and the team at Emerald Eye Center Inc. in Encino, California, for compassionate and effective care. Call the office or request an appointment online to learn more.
Macular Degeneration Q&A
What is macular degeneration?
Age-related macular degeneration occurs when there’s damage to the macula, a small area in the center of the retina. The macula is the area of the eye that’s needed for sharp, central vision. When it’s damaged, the center of your vision can appear dark, blurry, or distorted.
Vision loss from macular degeneration develops slowly over time. The first sign is often blurry vision when you look straight ahead. As the disease progresses, the blurry area grows, or you develop blank spots in the center of your field of vision.
If left untreated, macular degeneration leads to significant vision loss and negatively impacts your quality of life. A hole in the center of your vision can make daily tasks nearly impossible and can make it difficult to see faces.
What are the risk factors of macular degeneration?
Your age is one of the biggest risk factors for developing macular degeneration. People over the age of 60 are most likely to develop the disease, but it’s possible to develop it earlier in life.
Macular degeneration is a hereditary condition, which means if someone in your family has macular degeneration, you are at increased risk.
Macular degeneration is more common in Caucasians and affects fewer people of African-American or Hispanic descent.
Some lifestyle factors influence your risk of developing macular degeneration. Smokers are twice as likely to be affected by macular degeneration as nonsmokers.
How is macular degeneration treated?
There’s no known cure for macular degeneration, but early diagnosis helps prevent significant vision loss. At Emerald Eye Center Inc., the team offers comprehensive eye exams that diagnose macular degeneration. The team works with every patient to customize a treatment plan to keep your eyes as healthy as possible.
You can sometimes prevent the development of macular degeneration with certain lifestyle changes. Avoiding smoking and maintaining a regular exercise plan help keep your eyes healthy. Following a diet high in green, leafy vegetables, and fish promotes eye health as well.
For compassionate macular degeneration care, visit Emerald Eye Center. The team works with every patient to educate them and help them manage their condition. To schedule an appointment, call the office or request an appointment online today.
