What is Macular Degeneration, and am I at risk?
A. Macular degeneration is a disease of the retina, the lining of visual nerves at the back of the eye. As we age, we are all at risk for macular degeneration, and it can run in families. There are two forms of macular degeneration, dry and wet. There is minimal treatment for dry macular degeneration, and the wet form can sometimes be treated with medications or laser. Wet macular degeneration is caused by abnormal blood vessels growing in the retina which cause bleeding and a more rapid vision loss. Smoking makes macular degeneration worse. Some vitamins may be helpful for decreasing the rate of disease progression. There is a higher incidence in females who smoke. A dilated exam will screen for this eye disease. Q. Why can’t I get an eye transplant? A. Many people suffer from eye diseases that are without treatment. Fortunately, there are many parts of the eye that are replaceable. If the lens in the eye becomes a cataract, it can be replaced with a plastic lens implant (IOL). Also,
