Post by Laura Jenkins on Jan 26, 2015 20:59:14 GMT
We just had a call over the weekend regarding a daughter whose mother has Macular Degeneration. She wanted to know if we were familiar with the disease and if we could help someone who had Macular Degeneration. Apparently, she had just gotten off of the phone with someone who had never heard of Macular Degeneration. We explained that yes, we were familiar with it and that we currently have a couple of clients who have the disease. After hanging up the phone, I began to wonder how many people had never heard of Macular Degeneration and then it reminded me of an interview with did with Dr. Alex Carpenter with Easton Eye Care. I thought this would be a great opportunity to share the interview. Here it is:
Interview with Easton Eye Care & Dr. Alex Carpenter
Age Related Macular Degeneration
Recently we were lucky enough to contact Easton Eye Care in Easton and ask them if they could time out of their busy day to explain to us what aged related Age Related Macular Degeneration, also known as ARMD and how it can be treated. Dr. Alex Carpenter was nice enough to help us out. Below is the list of interview questions that we asked, along with his responding answers.
Just to give you some background, Easton Eye Care has been serving the Eastern Shore for over 35 years. It was originally opened by Dr. Stan Feinblum and is currently owned by Dr. Alan Bishop. Dr. Alex Carpenter is the newest doctor to come on board as of July. They currently have offices in Easton and Cambridge with full eyewear and optical services. Some of the services they provide include primary eye care, medical and diabetic eye care, contact lens specialty fittings, pediatric eye exams, emergency care and laser vision correction consultations.
YHC: What is Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD)?
Easton Eye Care: Macular degeneration is a disease of the macula, the portion of the eye that gives us our crisp, detailed, 20/20 vision. In macular degeneration, the cells are no longer able to adequately dispose of metabolic by-products. As this by-product builds up in the cells, it affects the function and structure of the macula. This results in loss of vision. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of severe vision loss in those over age 60.
YHC: What is the difference between “wet” and “dry”?
Easton Eye Care: Dry macular degeneration is a term for the earlier stages of ARMD in which there is typically mild vision loss. In this stage we only see the accumulation of the aforementioned by-product. Wet macular degeneration refers to a more advanced stage of the disease in which there is abnormal growth of fragile and leaky blood vessels. These vessels often cause bleeding in and around the macula, and vision is severely disrupted.
YHC: Is there a cure for ARMD? What treatment options are available?
Easton Eye Care: Therapy is directed primarily at slowing progression and prevention of severe vision loss. For those in the early stages of macular degeneration, studies have shown that a specific combination of vitamins can reduce the risk of progression. For those that have progressed to the “wet” form of macular degeneration, therapy options include anti-angiogenic drug injections and laser therapy. The goal of these treatments is to stop the growth of abnormal blood vessels and preserve the current level of vision.
YHC: How is Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) detected?
Easton Eye Care: During a comprehensive annual eye exam, we perform several routine tests that help us assess the structure and function of the macula. These include directly viewing the macula through a microscope, taking baseline photos of the macula for later comparison, and also viewing a cross section of the macular layers. This technology is very similar to the way an “MRI” works and allows us to assess the health of all of the layers of the eye. Furthermore, we recently acquired a newer technology that allows us to better assess risk of developing macular degeneration by measuring the amount of protective pigment in the macula.
YHC: What are the risk factors for developing macular degeneration?
Easton Eye Care: The two most important risk factors are increasing age and a known family history. A family history increases risk by 50% in first generation children. Lifestyle also plays an important role. Excessive sun exposure, smoking, a diet high in fat and low in green, leafy vegetables, and chronic disease (diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity) are all risk factors. Also, our electronics emit harmful blue light that can damage the macula. Limiting use of electronics, or wearing a pair of glasses that block this light is helpful.
YHC: Are there any ways to avoid getting Age Related Macular Degeneration?
Combining known lifestyle risk factors along with our new technology allows us to more accurately assess overall risk. This is of particular interest because one can alter lifestyle and habits to decrease risk of developing this disease. This includes changing the aforementioned risk factors, but we have also seen success with vitamin supplementation prior to developing the disease. This entails one softgel (Macuhealth) per day, which delivers protective pigment to the macula. This pigment acts as an anti-oxidant and almost like “internal sunglasses.” Also, good UV protection that blocks harmful blue light is paramount for those at high risk.
YHC: What are the signs/symptoms of ARMD?
Easton Eye Care: Symptoms include blur, distortion and vision loss. Sadly, it is unlikely that one would notice these symptoms until they progress to significant visual loss. For that reason it is important to have an annual dilated eye exam. This allows us to monitor for any changes in the macula that could indicate progression towards macular degeneration. If it is caught early, we can implement treatment and address risk factors to minimize vision loss. Once diagnosed, patients must be monitored more frequently to track progression. One can also monitor for changes at home using an Amsler Grid. This is essentially a grid that can be viewed, one eye at a time, to ensure that no lines appear wavy, distorted, or blurred.
Thanks again to Easton Eye Care and Dr. Alex Carpenter for the impromptu interview. Also, a shout out to Erin Swann, Easton Eye Care’s Performance Improvement Manager for her help as well.
To our readers, if you would like more information on eye health, and to find examples of an Amsler Grid please visit Dr. Carpenter’s eyecare blog. It can be found at alexcarpenter-od.tumblr.com. Photos of age related macular degeneration can also be found there.
Interview with Easton Eye Care & Dr. Alex Carpenter
Age Related Macular Degeneration
Recently we were lucky enough to contact Easton Eye Care in Easton and ask them if they could time out of their busy day to explain to us what aged related Age Related Macular Degeneration, also known as ARMD and how it can be treated. Dr. Alex Carpenter was nice enough to help us out. Below is the list of interview questions that we asked, along with his responding answers.Just to give you some background, Easton Eye Care has been serving the Eastern Shore for over 35 years. It was originally opened by Dr. Stan Feinblum and is currently owned by Dr. Alan Bishop. Dr. Alex Carpenter is the newest doctor to come on board as of July. They currently have offices in Easton and Cambridge with full eyewear and optical services. Some of the services they provide include primary eye care, medical and diabetic eye care, contact lens specialty fittings, pediatric eye exams, emergency care and laser vision correction consultations.
YHC: What is Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD)?
Easton Eye Care: Macular degeneration is a disease of the macula, the portion of the eye that gives us our crisp, detailed, 20/20 vision. In macular degeneration, the cells are no longer able to adequately dispose of metabolic by-products. As this by-product builds up in the cells, it affects the function and structure of the macula. This results in loss of vision. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of severe vision loss in those over age 60.
YHC: What is the difference between “wet” and “dry”?
Easton Eye Care: Dry macular degeneration is a term for the earlier stages of ARMD in which there is typically mild vision loss. In this stage we only see the accumulation of the aforementioned by-product. Wet macular degeneration refers to a more advanced stage of the disease in which there is abnormal growth of fragile and leaky blood vessels. These vessels often cause bleeding in and around the macula, and vision is severely disrupted.
YHC: Is there a cure for ARMD? What treatment options are available?
Easton Eye Care: Therapy is directed primarily at slowing progression and prevention of severe vision loss. For those in the early stages of macular degeneration, studies have shown that a specific combination of vitamins can reduce the risk of progression. For those that have progressed to the “wet” form of macular degeneration, therapy options include anti-angiogenic drug injections and laser therapy. The goal of these treatments is to stop the growth of abnormal blood vessels and preserve the current level of vision.
YHC: How is Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) detected?
Easton Eye Care: During a comprehensive annual eye exam, we perform several routine tests that help us assess the structure and function of the macula. These include directly viewing the macula through a microscope, taking baseline photos of the macula for later comparison, and also viewing a cross section of the macular layers. This technology is very similar to the way an “MRI” works and allows us to assess the health of all of the layers of the eye. Furthermore, we recently acquired a newer technology that allows us to better assess risk of developing macular degeneration by measuring the amount of protective pigment in the macula.
YHC: What are the risk factors for developing macular degeneration?
Easton Eye Care: The two most important risk factors are increasing age and a known family history. A family history increases risk by 50% in first generation children. Lifestyle also plays an important role. Excessive sun exposure, smoking, a diet high in fat and low in green, leafy vegetables, and chronic disease (diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity) are all risk factors. Also, our electronics emit harmful blue light that can damage the macula. Limiting use of electronics, or wearing a pair of glasses that block this light is helpful.
YHC: Are there any ways to avoid getting Age Related Macular Degeneration?
Combining known lifestyle risk factors along with our new technology allows us to more accurately assess overall risk. This is of particular interest because one can alter lifestyle and habits to decrease risk of developing this disease. This includes changing the aforementioned risk factors, but we have also seen success with vitamin supplementation prior to developing the disease. This entails one softgel (Macuhealth) per day, which delivers protective pigment to the macula. This pigment acts as an anti-oxidant and almost like “internal sunglasses.” Also, good UV protection that blocks harmful blue light is paramount for those at high risk.
YHC: What are the signs/symptoms of ARMD?
Easton Eye Care: Symptoms include blur, distortion and vision loss. Sadly, it is unlikely that one would notice these symptoms until they progress to significant visual loss. For that reason it is important to have an annual dilated eye exam. This allows us to monitor for any changes in the macula that could indicate progression towards macular degeneration. If it is caught early, we can implement treatment and address risk factors to minimize vision loss. Once diagnosed, patients must be monitored more frequently to track progression. One can also monitor for changes at home using an Amsler Grid. This is essentially a grid that can be viewed, one eye at a time, to ensure that no lines appear wavy, distorted, or blurred.
Thanks again to Easton Eye Care and Dr. Alex Carpenter for the impromptu interview. Also, a shout out to Erin Swann, Easton Eye Care’s Performance Improvement Manager for her help as well.
To our readers, if you would like more information on eye health, and to find examples of an Amsler Grid please visit Dr. Carpenter’s eyecare blog. It can be found at alexcarpenter-od.tumblr.com. Photos of age related macular degeneration can also be found there.