Macular Degeneration

Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treatment Specialistin Brooklyn & Woodmere, NY

For over 35+ years Arnold J. Stein MD has been delivering some of the best macular degeneration treatment Brooklyn & Woodmere have to offer. Please call our office today to schedule a consultation.

What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?

Macular degeneration is caused by the deterioration of the central portion of the retina, the inside back of the eye that records images we see and sends them via the optic nerve from the eye to the brain. Things may appear blurred or fuzzy in your central vision.

Many risk factors include your family history (genetics), race (Caucasians are at a higher risk than African-Americans, Hispanics, or Latinos), and modifiable behavior like smoking.

Types of Macular Degeneration

• Dry macular degeneration (85-90% of cases, atropic type)

• Wet macular degeneration (10-15% of cases, exudative type)

• Stargardt Disease is a form of macular degeneration found in young people which is caused by a recessive gene

How it affects your vision and eyes

Seeing wavy lines instead of straight ones, or gradually developing blurred vision in the center of your line of sight, are both signs of age-related macular degeneration, the top cause of vision loss after age 60. 

Test Your Vision Using the Amsler Chart:

Use the Amsler grid with your Brooklyn ophthalmologist to check whether lines look wavy, distorted or whether areas of the visual field are missing.

 “Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss, affecting more than 10 million Americans – more than cataracts and glaucoma combined,” according to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation (AMDF Macular.ORG)

Tips for Preventing Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Blurred Vision:

 Monitor key health indicators like high blood pressure, high triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and weight were found to be linked to macular degeneration.

 Take multivitamins and supplements rich in B6, folic acid, and B12 were far less likely to develop macular degeneration. Maintain your vision with DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) omega-3 fatty acids especially those found primarily in fish.

 Each a lot of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts. These foods including leafy greens are full of eye nutrients including vitamin C, E, zinc and carotenoids like carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin.

 Regular exercise and walking 30 minutes a day. Working out help nourish your retina and macula’s nerves with oxygen. Staying active has numerous health benefits and increased oxygen and blood flow is good for your eyes and preserving your vision.

Quit smoking and avoid exposure to 2nd hand smoke. It’s the largest modifiable risk factor for age-related macular degeneration. You’re twice as likely to develop the disease and cataracts compared to a nonsmoker (source: The New Smoking Story: Going Blind by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – CDC.GOV).

Protect your eyes from ultraviolet light.

Diagnosing Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Arnold J. Stein, M.D. is a practitioner of ophthalmology in Brooklyn & Woodmere a specialist in diagnosing and treating macular degeneration. He will utilize diagnostics which involve making images of inside back of the eye (fundus) and retina for studying the presence or progression of macular degeneration.

Treatments for AMD

• Nutrition therapy for early dry AMD

• Treatments for Wet AMD - Laser Photocoagulation