Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration causes a loss of central vision. You lose the ability to see fine details, whether looking at something close or far, while your peripheral (side) vision generally stays normal. For instance, if you’re looking at a clock with hands, macular degeneration might let you see the numbers around the edge but not the hands in the center.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is very common and is a leading cause of vision loss in people 50 and older. There are two types of AMD.

Dry AMD

• About 80% (8 out of 10) of people with AMD have the dry form
• Dry AMD occurs when parts of the macula thin with age and tiny protein deposits called drusen develop
• Central vision is lost gradually over time
• There is currently no treatment to reverse dry AMD

Wet AMD

• Wet AMD occurs when new, abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina
• These vessels may leak blood or fluid, causing scarring of the macula
• Vision loss progresses faster with wet AMD than with dry AMD

Many people don’t realize they have AMD until their vision becomes noticeably blurry, which is why regular visits with an ophthalmologist are so important — early signs can be caught before vision problems develop, and a referral to a low vision specialist like Dr. Huggett can follow. Patients with AMD often benefit from bioptic glasses or E-Scoop Glasses to make the most of remaining peripheral vision.

Hemianopsia

Hemianopsia is a debilitating visual condition affecting roughly 1 in 3 stroke patients. It can also be triggered by a brain injury or brain tumor. To the patient, it feels as though one entire side of their visual field has simply disappeared — something that’s difficult for others to fully imagine or explain. Patients with hemianopsia typically report two major challenges: difficulty reading, and difficulty getting around safely without bumping into things.

Hemianopsia may also be referred to using related terms such as CVA, stroke, hemianopia, quadranopsia, quadranopia, prism therapy, Peli lens, Gottlieb lens, visual field awareness system, Inwave, sector prism, or NovaVision. Our field expanding glasses, including the Peli Lens™, are specifically designed to help patients with hemianopsia regain awareness of their blind side.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, which is essential for good vision. This damage is often caused by abnormally high pressure inside the eye, and can lead to gradual, permanent vision loss if left untreated.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a diabetes complication that affects the eyes, caused by damage to the blood vessels of the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (the retina). Early on, diabetic retinopathy may cause no symptoms or only mild vision problems, but it can progress to blindness if untreated. It can develop in anyone with type 1 or type 2 diabetes — the longer you’ve had diabetes and the less controlled your blood sugar, the greater your risk.

Getting the Right Care for Your Condition

No matter which condition is affecting your vision, a comprehensive low vision evaluation is the best way to understand your options. Depending on your diagnosis, your care plan may include specialized low vision glasses, a structured course of low vision rehabilitation therapy, or other low vision treatments. Learn more about how these conditions affect daily life on our Living With Low Vision page, and if you’re new to our practice, our New Patient Center outlines what to expect at your first visit.