Facebook X-twitter Instagram Youtube
Scottsdale Eye Physicians and Surgeons
Patient Portal
Book an eye exam

take the next step

Schedule an Appointment

Scottsdale Eye Physicians & Surgeons, PC
AMD

Advanced Macular Degeneration

Preventing Advanced Macular Degeneration with healthy life choices

What Is Macular Degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive eye disease that affects the macula, the central portion of the retina responsible for sharp, straight-ahead vision. It typically develops in people over 50 and can be classified into two types:

  • Dry AMD (atrophic) – The more common, slower-progressing form

  • Wet AMD (neovascular) – Less common but more severe, caused by abnormal blood vessel growth under the retina

When left untreated, advanced AMD can lead to permanent loss of central vision, making everyday tasks like reading, driving, or recognizing faces extremely difficult.

Symptoms of Advanced Macular Degeneration

Patients with advanced AMD may experience:

  • Blurry or distorted central vision

  • A dark or empty spot in the center of vision

  • Faded colors or difficulty with contrast

  • Difficulty reading, driving, or seeing fine detail

If you notice any of these symptoms, contact us immediately for a comprehensive retinal evaluation.

Diagnosing Macular Degeneration

At Scottsdale Eye Physicians & Surgeons, we use advanced diagnostic tools to detect and monitor macular degeneration, including:

  • Dilated retinal exams

  • Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) – Imaging that reveals the layers of the retina

  • Amsler Grid Testing – Helps detect changes in central vision

  • Fluorescein Angiography – Identifies abnormal blood vessels in wet AMD

Early and accurate diagnosis allows us to create a customized care plan that can slow progression and preserve as much vision as possible.

Treatment Options for Advanced Macular Degeneration

While there is no cure for AMD, early detection and treatment can significantly slow vision loss. Treatment options may include:

Anti-VEGF Injections

Medications like Eylea®, Lucentis®, and Avastin® are injected directly into the eye to reduce abnormal blood vessel growth in wet AMD.

Low Vision Aids

Magnifying devices, specialized glasses, and digital tools can enhance remaining vision for daily tasks.

Nutritional Support

For certain cases of dry AMD, specific vitamins (AREDS2 formula) may help slow disease progression.

Regular Monitoring

Ongoing care is essential to detect changes early and modify treatment plans as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Symptoms of dry eye syndrome may affect one or both eyes and often include: burning or gritty feeling in the eyes, mucus in the eyes, sensitivity to light, eye redness, difficulty seeing at night, watery and stinging eyes, blurred vision.
At first, the cloudiness in your vision caused by a cataract may affect only a small part of the eye’s lens. You may not notice any vision loss. As the cataract grows larger, it clouds more of your lens. More clouding changes the light passing through the lens. This may lead to symptoms you notice more.
Conventional treatment for disorders such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism typically relies on corrective prescription lenses. Disorders such as cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and retinal detachment require advanced medical and surgical treatments.
A medical exam includes diagnosis and treatment of an eye disease or malady (like glaucoma, conjunctivitis, or cataracts). A routine eye exam, on the other hand, includes diagnosis and treatment of non-medical complaints, like astigmatism, or farsightedness.
The symptoms can start so slowly that you may not notice them. The only way to find out if you have glaucoma is to get a comprehensive dilated eye exam. There’s no cure for glaucoma, but early treatment can often stop the damage and protect your vision.