senior woman with AMD

Macular Degeneration

Know your risks and preserve your vision

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What Is Macular Degeneration?

Macular degeneration, also called AMD or age-related macular degeneration, occurs when the macula — the central portion of the retina — begins to wear down, causing central vision loss.

People who suffer from AMD tend to lose their “straight ahead” vision, making it difficult to read, drive, and recognize faces. 

Total vision loss is unlikely, as there's typically enough peripheral vision to allow for other activities of daily life. 

Man with macular degeneration


Types of Macular Degeneration:

macular degeneration types

  • Dry AMD: small deposits called drusen damage retinal nerve cells and reduce vision
  • Wet AMD: new blood vessels form that leak and release fluid that harms the macula. This is a more severe form of AMD that can more quickly cause vision loss.

Don’t Let AMD Rob You of Your Sight

An estimated 196 million people are living with macular degeneration worldwide. Although those affected by it rarely lose all their vision, the vast majority suffer from some degree of vision loss. 

While there is currently no cure for AMD, there are certain treatments that can slow its progression — and low vision aids that can increase independent functioning.

If you think you're at risk or are experiencing symptoms, contact Andover Optometry on Central today. We can diagnose and help treat the disease.


Give Your Eyes the Care They Deserve

Macular Degeneration Treatment in Andover

Our optometry practice in Andover

Photograph of Ronald Watanabe
Hours
  • Monday 7:45 am - 5:30 pm
  • Tuesday 7:45 am - 8:00 pm
  • Wednesday 7:30 am - 5:30 pm
  • Thursday 7:30 am - 5:30 pm
  • Friday 7:30 am - 1:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

Risk Factors for AMD

  • Aged 50+

    The onset of AMD usually happens over the age of 50 and increases substantially with time. For instance, a 2% risk at age 55 can turn into a 30% risk by age 75.

  • Lifestyle factors

    Smoking or eating a diet high in saturated fat can increase your risk of AMD. Furthermore, these habits increase the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease–two additional risk factors for AMD.

  • Obesity

    Research shows that people with a BMI of over 30 double their chances of developing AMD.

  • Family History

    If you have a close relative with AMD, you have a higher risk of developing this eye condition.


How to Stop the Progression of Macular Degeneration

While there isn’t yet a cure for AMD or an effective way of reversing vision loss that has already occurred, you can take certain steps and adopt new habits to slow the progression of the disease.

Furthermore, certain treatments can slow its progression and low vision aids that can increase independent functioning.

Talk to us about how you can slow the progression of the disease and avoid vision loss by contacting Andover Optometry on Central today. 

Photograph

Patient Reviews
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268 Reviews
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- Nov. 21, 2023
No wait emergency exam when I showed up before your posted opening hour. Thank you.
- Oct. 18, 2023
Quick and accurate fit every time. Truly the best practice ever!
- Oct. 07, 2023
Best service and most friendly staff! I have terrible nearsightedness, so I’m very picky about whe... re I go for eye care. Dr. Deshaies is patient, answers my million questions when I go in, and is really looking out for his patients. Big thank you to Marcia for helping with the payment and contact ordering process and making it easy. Come here if you want to be taken care of!
- Sep. 15, 2023
Have been coming to the doctors here since 1976! Even came during summer visits to the US when I wa... s living in Australia. Have gone to a couple of other practitioners, once each, when for some reason I could not come here, but never considered changing to one of them.
- Sep. 09, 2023
Very attentive, friendly and professional team!!
- Aug. 19, 2023
Great service and care for the patients!
- Aug. 12, 2023
Great people, wonderful attitudes, highly professional with a kind and reassuring manner that instil... ls confidence… the end result? I see better now than I have in years…at 73 that is greatly appreciated. If you need the best eye care, you need look no further…you have found the best!
- Jul. 26, 2023
Dr. Watanabe is a great eye doctor. I feel extremely lucky to have found him. He listens attentive... ly and carefully to his patients, and provides superior service. I highly recommend him.
- Jul. 19, 2023
Always a pleasant visit.
- Jun. 29, 2023
Recently having trouble with my frame adjustment, unable to read correctly and very tight on the sid... es. I had the pleasure of working with Joe, he went out of his way to adjust the lenses and the frames to make them comfortable and with correct vision. He went above and beyond listening to my issues and patiently corrected the issues. In the past I had the pleasure of being helped by Marsha and Sheila with similar positive outcomes. I highly recommend Joe and this entire practice.
- Jun. 13, 2023
I had a serious eye issue that required immediate surgery in Boston. Dr wantabe squeezed me that mo... rning , diagnosed my eye issue and got me set up at Massachusetts eye and ear. I appreciate the care I got from the Dr and the entire office.
- Jun. 05, 2023
Was told by another eye doctor…that “nothing was wrong and that it was all in my head”.. I avo... ided going to a doctors ever since due to being gaslit into believing that nothing was actually wrong with my eyes. Six years later, I woke up enough courage to go here hoping to have a semi good experience. When I tell yall I have never been treated with such good care and was actually listen to… I WAS SHOCKED (from my past experience) Anyways, my results. My eyes were fine (with a small prescription) BUTTT I did have astigmatisms in each eye which was causing me to see doubles, having light sensitivity, seeing “smoke” & “stars”, and overall feeling like I’m straining my eyes just to see close up or far away DAILY. Now that I have a prescription that is properly made for my eyes. I’m seeing things so clearly!! I swear I’m seeing in 4K. It’s remarkable. I will be a returning client and will be recommending others to come here!! The style of glasses are wide as well. The women with the red hair (who helped me with my glasses/ payment) is AMAZING. She made me feel so beautiful, comfortable (I'm very shy), and excited for my glasses. I wish I knew her name but she definitely deserves the acknowledgment for her work & her interaction with the patients!
- May. 20, 2023
I have been going to Dr.Watanabe for years. He is always so professional and thorough with my eye ex... am.
- May. 07, 2023
Thank you, great service.
- Apr. 21, 2023
Very professional and friendly staff.
- Apr. 02, 2023
This is a wonderful facility. Doctors are very experienced. I was very satisfied with all aspects....
- Mar. 21, 2023
Have been coming here for years. Have always had a great experience with great doctors and staff.
- Mar. 21, 2023
I was very satisfied with every part of my last visit at Andover Optometry on Central from the sched... uling, the reminders a week before the appointment, the welcome the day of and Dr. Wantanabe's attention to me and my vision. I highly recommend Andover Optometry on Central for your vision needs. Cheryl Iodice
- Mar. 12, 2023
Very pleasant experience for my 12 year old son. The Staff and Dr. Deshaies were excellent. Our ap... pointment was in the afternoon and it was exactly on time.
- Mar. 10, 2023
Very professional and prompt service.

View All 268 Reviews

Macular Degeneration FAQs

What are the first signs of AMD?

You may have AMD and not know it. Typically, symptoms may not develop until the advanced stage of the eye disease.

First signs of AMD may include: 

  • Blurred vision
  • Blind spots or dark spots
  • Straight lines appearing distorted or wavy
  • Faded colors 

 For early detection and better outcomes, it's important to undergo regular eye exams at our eye clinic, especially if you have a family history of AMD or other risk factors. 

How common is macular degeneration?

Statistics indicate that 8.7% of the world population has macular degeneration. The rate of AMD is expected to increase from 196 million in 2022 to 288 million by 2040.

What is the best treatment for macular degeneration?

Currently, the most common treatment for wet AMD is the injection of medications called anti-VEGF agents. High levels of VEGF in the eye increase the formation of abnormal blood vessels that cause much of the damage in wet AMD.


senior couple with AMD wearing glasses

Don’t let AMD stop you from doing the things you love.

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