Macular degeneration, commonly referred to as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is very personal to Dr. Andrus. AMD is the single largest cause of sight loss in the developed world and affects more than 10 million Americans. It can be diagnosed and managed early with great outcomes. Dr. Andrus watches for early signs of AMD in patients as young as their 20s or 30s with scans and photos of the back of each eye.


There are two main types of AMD - Wet and Dry. Wet AMD is caused by abnormal blood vessels growing into the macula. These blood vessels are leaky and cause blood or fluid in areas of the eye that should not have blood and fluid, leading to vision loss if not addressed quickly. Dry AMD is more common than the wet form. The dry form tends to progress much slower than the wet form, however, frequent monitoring is generally needed. Up to 15% of people with dry AMD go on to develop wet AMD, and so any changes in your vision should be followed up with right away.


Macular degeneration affects each person differently. This is why there is no substitute for regular complete eye exams with computer scans of each retina and dilating drops to look for any changes that could indicate AMD. Some symptoms of AMD may include:

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• Distortion or bends in what should be straight lines
  
  

• Dark spots in your central vision
  
  

• Fading colors
  
  

• Difficulty adapting from dark to light environments
  
  

• Blurred vision
  
  

• Objects may appear to change shape, size, or color, or may move or disappear
  
  

• Bright lights may be difficult to tolerate
  
  

• Words may disappear while you are reading

Dr. Andrus will discuss your individual risk factors and appropriate treatment options. Some treatments may include treatment with Ocuveiw or 4Sight daily eye vitamins, or simply frequent monitoring. Treatments can range all the way to retinal surgeries or monthly anti-VEGf treatments with a retinal specialist.



Schedule an appointment with our team at Mid-Modern Eyecare in Midland, Michigan by calling (989) 486-3025 today.