senior woman with AMD

Macular Degeneration

Know your risks and preserve your vision

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What Is Macular Degeneration?

Macular degeneration, also called AMD or age-related macular degeneration, occurs when the macula — the central portion of the retina — begins to wear down, causing central vision loss.

People who suffer from AMD tend to lose their “straight ahead” vision, making it difficult to read, drive, and recognize faces. 

Total vision loss is unlikely, as there's typically enough peripheral vision to allow for other activities of daily life. 

Man with macular degeneration


Types of Macular Degeneration:

macular degeneration types

  • Dry AMD: small deposits called drusen damage retinal nerve cells and reduce vision
  • Wet AMD: new blood vessels form that leak and release fluid that harms the macula. This is a more severe form of AMD that can more quickly cause vision loss.

Don’t Let AMD Rob You of Your Sight

An estimated 196 million people are living with macular degeneration worldwide. Although those affected by it rarely lose all their vision, the vast majority suffer from some degree of vision loss. 

While there is currently no cure for AMD, there are certain treatments that can slow its progression — and low vision aids that can increase independent functioning.

If you think you're at risk or are experiencing symptoms, contact Pine Eye Associates today. We can diagnose and help treat the disease.


Give Your Eyes the Care They Deserve

Macular Degeneration Treatment in Pine City

Our optometry practice in Pine City

Photograph of Rafe  Garofalo
Hours
  • Monday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
  • Dec. 25 Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • Spectera
  • Superior Vision
  • Davis Vision
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

Risk Factors for AMD

  • Aged 50+

    The onset of AMD usually happens over the age of 50 and increases substantially with time. For instance, a 2% risk at age 55 can turn into a 30% risk by age 75.

  • Lifestyle factors

    Smoking or eating a diet high in saturated fat can increase your risk of AMD. Furthermore, these habits increase the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease–two additional risk factors for AMD.

  • Obesity

    Research shows that people with a BMI of over 30 double their chances of developing AMD.

  • Family History

    If you have a close relative with AMD, you have a higher risk of developing this eye condition.


How to Stop the Progression of Macular Degeneration

While there isn’t yet a cure for AMD or an effective way of reversing vision loss that has already occurred, you can take certain steps and adopt new habits to slow the progression of the disease.

Furthermore, certain treatments can slow its progression and low vision aids that can increase independent functioning.

Talk to us about how you can slow the progression of the disease and avoid vision loss by contacting Pine Eye Associates today. 

Photograph

Patient Reviews
4.6
78 Reviews
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- Nov. 12, 2023
Excellent care and kind staff. Helpful with finding frames, and transparent about insurance deductib... les and extra costs.
- Nov. 02, 2023
Fast and quick service
- Oct. 13, 2023
Highly recommend to all my friends and family. Best eye doctor and I am always highly satisfied with... the whole experience at pine eye. They were the first ones that got my prescription right… I couldn’t see for 30 years… and then I went to pine eye.
- Sep. 17, 2023
Excellent doctors and staff! Very personal service! I would highly recommend Pine Eye Associates!
- Aug. 29, 2023
Very strong communication between doctor and her staff! My doctor did a very intense appointment.... And that made me happy. I just got alot if issues going on. And she attended to my needs. Im 100 percent satisfied with my visit.
- Aug. 29, 2023
Dr. Garofalo is the best around. I’ll never see anyone else. He’s so pleasant, easy to be around... , we spend half of every visit laughing; my kids love him. The rest of the staff are lovely as well. I’ve never had a negative experience in our many years of going to Pine Eye.
- Aug. 01, 2023
great service and people
- Jun. 08, 2023
Love the personalized service!
- Apr. 28, 2023
Excellent, top notch staff! Warm and friendly, and very caring and knowledgeable!
- Apr. 28, 2023
Wonderful place! Staff are very nice and professional.
- Apr. 20, 2023
Great place, great people! Go on a Thursday if possible 😂
- Mar. 16, 2023
Always a great experience and feel valued
- Mar. 09, 2023
Forever the best eye care!
- Mar. 03, 2023
Great service from the time I walked in the door. Very friendly and professional!
- Feb. 04, 2023
Expert care with family feel!!
- Dec. 28, 2022
My family has been going to Pine Eye Assoc. for years. I highly recommend them.
- Oct. 13, 2022
Always warm,caring and lighthearted.I always enjoy Dr. Iversons way of explaining everything in lam... en terms and her wonderful humor lol.
- Oct. 10, 2022
Wonderful experience!
- Oct. 08, 2022
Great clinic! Dr. Toler is very knowledgeable and has a great attitude.
- Oct. 07, 2022
Fantastic clinic. Our family has been seeing Dr G and Kristie for years and years and years. He has... always resolved our emergencies and complicated prescriptions. He is very reassuring and pleasant conversationalist. All the ladies at the clinic are great and very respectful. We have moved out of state and still drive to this clinic for our appointments.

View All 78 Reviews

Macular Degeneration FAQs

What are the first signs of AMD?

You may have AMD and not know it. Typically, symptoms may not develop until the advanced stage of the eye disease.

First signs of AMD may include: 

  • Blurred vision
  • Blind spots or dark spots
  • Straight lines appearing distorted or wavy
  • Faded colors 

 For early detection and better outcomes, it's important to undergo regular eye exams at our eye clinic, especially if you have a family history of AMD or other risk factors. 

How common is macular degeneration?

Statistics indicate that 8.7% of the world population has macular degeneration. The rate of AMD is expected to increase from 196 million in 2022 to 288 million by 2040.

What is the best treatment for macular degeneration?

Currently, the most common treatment for wet AMD is the injection of medications called anti-VEGF agents. High levels of VEGF in the eye increase the formation of abnormal blood vessels that cause much of the damage in wet AMD.


senior couple with AMD wearing glasses

Don’t let AMD stop you from doing the things you love.

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