Distortion May Be the First Sign of Wet Macular Degeneration

Distortion May Be the First Sign of Wet Macular Degeneration

A patient came into the office complaining of new onset distortion in the right eye.  My patient, JG, is a 64 year old male, caucasian, and has a long history of smoking.  JG started noticing changes in his central vision about 6 weeks ago.  At first, there was some distortion in the central vision.  When looking out his front window, he noticed that the telephone wires developed an extra “wiggle.”  This has been getting worse.  He noticed that even small print has become hard to read.  Now, when he closes his left eye, he can’t see people’s faces well; they are “missing” an eye and a nose.

What is happening? This is a typical “story” or history of a patient developing wet macular degeneration.  The “wet” part means that abnormal blood vessels have developed within the layers of the retina.  More specifically, the abnormal blood vessels, aka neovascularization, have developed underneath the macula.  These blood vessels can physically damage some of the vital layers within the retina, leak and cause fluid to accumulate and often bleed, although the blood doesn’t really cause any harm.

The macula is the functional center of the retina.  It gives us our central vision and this is where we have the best color vision.  The rest of the retina gives us our peripheral or “side” vision.  The macula is only about 2 X 2 mm large!  Any small perturbation in this area may have dramatic consequences to our central vision.

What to do? The first thing to do is to make the proper diagnosis.  While this may be a typical scenario, there are a few other conditions that may cause the same or similar complaints.  If you can, see a retina specialist and have a flourescein angiogram performed.  This dye test is very sensitive and specific for demonstrating neovascularization and estimating macular edema (fluid collection).

What can be done? Treatments these days consist of intraocular injections of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors (VEFG).  These injections neutralize the effects of this hormone which causes growth of the abnormal blood vessels.  Avastin®, Lucentis® and Macugen® are commonly used.  Your doctor should explain which therapies are available and why.  Other treatments may include laser photocoagulation and photodynamic therapy.

In general, the earlier we institute treatment, the better the visual prognosis.

“Randy”

Randall V. Wong, M.D.
www.TotalRetina.com
Ophthalmologist, Retina Specialist

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2 Comments
  • Thomas Miller
    Posted at 12:51h, 16 September Reply

    Randy, I just recently say you at the Dressler facility. You had explained to me that my eyes were good to go. However, I’m wondering if I have the start of Wet Macular Degeneration. As I explained to you in the office, I sometimes get a blurry small spot in the middle of my right eye. It comes and goes. You said everything was good with my eyes and that I might only need a pescription for that issue. Is that still the case or should I be worrying when I have these blurry episodes (few and far between)..

    Thanks, Thomas

    • Randall V. Wong, M.D.
      Posted at 20:09h, 16 September Reply

      Thanks for the comment. If you were to have macular degeneration, your symptoms would not come and go. You would have persistent, sustained changes in your vision.

      I stick with our conversation in the office!

      Randy

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