Macular degeneration care in New Albany.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in adults over 50, according to the National Eye Institute. It's also usually painless and slow-moving, which is exactly why regular eye exams matter.
If you'd rather just pick a time, you can schedule now or call us at (614) 933-0575.
Dry and wet macular degeneration.
AMD affects the macula, the small central part of the retina responsible for the sharp, straight-ahead vision you use to read, drive, and recognize faces. Because it targets central vision and largely spares peripheral vision, many patients with AMD can still get around and manage daily activities even as reading or recognizing faces becomes harder.
Most cases start as the dry form, where the tissue layer beneath the retina thins over time and small deposits called drusen build up. Dry AMD usually progresses slowly. A smaller share of patients, roughly 1 in 10 according to research cited by the National Eye Institute, develop the wet form, where abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the retina and leak fluid or blood. Wet AMD can cause more rapid vision changes and needs prompt attention.
AMD is not painful, which is part of what makes it easy to miss early on. Age is the biggest risk factor, roughly 1 in 10 patients aged 66 to 74 show signs of it, rising to about 3 in 10 by ages 75 to 85, and family history may also play a role. Regular eye exams are how these changes get caught while there are still more options for managing them.
How we watch for macular changes.
Early AMD often has no symptoms you'd notice on your own, so we build the screening into every routine exam rather than waiting for a complaint. Two forms of imaging give your doctor a direct, dated look at the macula, so this year's exam can be compared to last year's.
Wide-field retinal photos
A wide-field image captures a broad, detailed view of the retina and macula in a single shot. It lets your doctor look for drusen and other early markers of AMD, and because the image is dated, it becomes a baseline your doctor can compare against at future visits to track any change.
Optical coherence tomography (OCT)
Where a retinal photo gives a broad view across the macula, an OCT scan builds a cross-sectional image of its individual layers. That added detail may help your doctor spot fluid, drusen, or thinning that a photo alone wouldn't show, often before you'd notice any change in your reading vision. It's a quick, no-contact scan included in our exams.
Monitoring and referral
If we find signs of AMD, we set a monitoring schedule built around what we're seeing, and if wet AMD is suspected, we coordinate a prompt referral to a retina specialist. Finding changes early is what keeps the most options open.
We coordinate your vision and medical benefits and bill whichever leaves you the smallest out-of-pocket cost. Many annual exams go through vision insurance, which often means a smaller copay, and you do not need a vision plan to be seen: if you don't have one, we can bill your exam to your medical insurance instead.
On the medical side we accept Anthem, Aetna, Cigna, Medicare, UnitedHealthcare, and Medical Mutual. Plans and networks vary, and some (HMOs especially) may need a prior authorization or a referral from your primary care doctor first. Call us at (614) 933-0575 with your insurance card and we'll confirm your specific coverage before your visit.
Schedule an exam that checks your macula.
Schedule online or call (614) 933-0575. Regular eye exams, early detection, and today's treatment options may help many patients maintain their vision longer.
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