Specialized Care for Macular Conditions
Your macula is the key to clear, detailed vision. Located at the retina's center, it allows you to read, drive, recognize faces, and see fine details. When there is damage to the macula, these everyday tasks can become difficult or even impossible.
American Eye Associates is a leading retinal practice specializing in macular diseases. Our trained retina specialists diagnose, manage, and treat complex macular conditions to preserve and improve your vision.
Why Macular Health Matters
The macula is a small but powerful part of the eye, responsible for central vision, sharpness, and color perception. Damage to the macula can lead to:
- Blurry or distorted vision
- Dark spots in central vision
- Difficulty reading, driving, or recognizing faces
- Loss of fine detail and color perception
Macular disease often develops silently, making early detection and regular retinal evaluations essential to preserving vision.
Common Macular Conditions
Several conditions can affect the macula, each leading to vision impairment if left untreated. The most common include:
Advanced Diagnostics for Early Detection
American Eye Associates uses advanced diagnostic imaging to detect macular diseases before vision loss occurs. Our specialized tests include:
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): High-resolution imaging to detect macular thinning, fluid accumulation, and structural damage
- Fluorescein Angiography (FA): A dye test that highlights leaky or abnormal blood vessels in the retina
- Fundus Photography: Detailed retinal images to track disease progression over time
Treatment Options for Macular Diseases
Our specialists provide personalized treatment plans based on each patient’s unique condition and vision needs. Available treatments include:
- Anti-VEGF injections (EYLEA®, Vabysmo™) for AMD and macular edema
- Vitrectomy surgery for macular holes and puckers
- Laser therapy for select macular conditions
Vitrectomy Surgery
Vitrectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to treat macular holes and macular puckers. During the procedure, the surgeon carefully removes the vitreous gel inside the eye to relieve tension on the macula, which helps prevent further pulling that could worsen vision loss.
For macular holes, vitrectomy allows the hole to seal naturally, while in cases of macular puckers, the scar tissue is smoothed or removed, reducing visual distortion. This surgery has a high success rate in stabilizing or improving vision and plays a crucial role in preventing further macular damage.
Laser Therapy
For select macular conditions, laser therapy is an effective treatment designed to seal leaking blood vessels and reduce swelling, helping to stabilize vision and prevent further damage to the macula. By precisely targeting affected areas, laser therapy helps protect central vision and improve long-term eye health.