Time to Learn About Age-Related Macular Degeneration

As the name suggests, age-related macular degeneration (or AMD) is an eye disease which progresses with age. Most common in people over 50 years of age, AMD is a vision-threatening illness for which there is no actual cure: if any amount of your vision is stolen by the disease, then it cannot be recovered.
However, even in the earliest stages, there are always warning signs. The expert independent optometrist working at Woodstock Vision Care – Dr. Kassam – have cutting-edge technology at the ready which is used to thoroughly examine your eye health. If any of the tell-tale signs of AMD are present, they will immediately take steps to advise you on how to proceed. This early detection could mean that your vision is virtually unaffected despite the disease being present!
Who Is At Risk
AMD can affect anyone, and those over 50 are the most at risk. That said, there is strong evidence that smokers run a higher-than-average risk. The disease is also more prevalent in White and Asian people, due to genetics.
What Are The Symptoms
Unfortunately, AMD is a cruel disease and shows very few noticeable symptoms until it is quite progressed. Those affected will begin to slowly lose their central vision. This slow progression means that many people who do not attend annual eye exams fail to realise their vision has been compromised until they are substantially affected.
Types of AMD
There are two variants of the disease: atrophic (or “dry” AMD) and exudative (“wet” AMD).
Dry AMD
In about 90% of cases, patients suffer from atrophic AMD. There is a steady buildup of a white protein (called drusen) underneath the retina which can interfere with vision. This is a natural process which happens due to the ageing macula, the part of the retina responsible for sharp central vision.
Wet AMD
Only affecting 10% of patients, this form of AMD is far more serious and can leave a patient with permanent vision loss. Here, weak and poorly-formed blood vessels can grow beneath the retina, eventually leaking blood and other fluids into the eye.
How Do We Detect It
The independent optometrist at Woodstock Vision Care will use advanced imaging technology – namely Ocular Coherence Tomography (OCT) and retinal imaging – to examine your eye in exceptional detail. If any abnormal blood vessels, drusen, or leaking fluids are found, a diagnosis can be made.
The diagnosis is confirmed if your visual acuity is consistent with AMD, i.e. an impairment of the central vision. This will be assessed during the eye exam, so we’ll know very quickly and can give the appropriate advice as soon as possible.

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Services We Offer
Regular eye exams are a vital part of ensuring your vision remains healthy and vibrant for years to come. Woodstock Vision Care is ready to evaluate your eye health and ensure your prescription is up to date.
Visit Us
We are conveniently located in downtown Woodstock on Dundas Street at the end of Perry Street. (nestled between Coffee Culture and Crabby Joes). Come pay us a visit!

Our Address
- 419 Dundas St
- Woodstock, ON N4S 1B8
Contact Us
- Phone: 519-537-5531
- Email: [email protected]
Clinic Hours
We are closed for all statutory holidays, and long weekends.
Hours are subject to change without notice.
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