MACULAR DEGENERATION TREATMENT MELBOURNE

HAWTHORN EYE CLINIC

Safe and effective treatment, with the aim to preserve vision and maintain quality of life.

MACULAR DEGENERATION TREATMENT MELBOURNE

A PATIENT’S GUIDE

Our ophthalmologists take the time to explain each diagnosis in clear, simple terms and discuss all available treatment options. We encourage questions, so you can make educated decisions about your eye care treatment with confidence.

All the specialists use cutting edge, proven technology and strive to provide you with high quality care.

HAWTHORN EYE CLINIC
Learn more about macular degeneration and how it is diagnosed and treated:

Frequently Asked Questions

Visit our frequently asked questions section to find answers to common questions about macular degeneration including:

  • Is macular degeneration treatable?

  • If I have macular degeneration, will I become blind?

  • When should I see a doctor?

  • Can macular degeneration be prevented?

  • How quickly does macular degeneration progress?

  • Is it macular degeneration hereditary?

What is Macular Degeneration?

Macular degeneration is a common, age-related eye condition that affects the central part of your vision. It occurs when the macula, the area at the back of the eye responsible for sharp, detailed sight, becomes damaged over time.

The damage can make everyday activities like reading, driving, and recognising faces more difficult. Eyesight may become blurred, distorted, or dark patches can develop in the centre of your vision.

There are two main types of macular degeneration:

Dry Macular Degeneration – The most common form, which develops slowly and causes gradual vision loss over time.

Wet Macular Degeneration – Less common, but more serious, where abnormal blood vessels grow and leak under the retina, leading to faster and more severe vision loss.

While macular degeneration can lead to significant central vision loss, your side (peripheral) vision is usually preserved, meaning it does not typically cause complete blindness.

Macular Degeneration Types

What are the causes/risk factors of Macular Degeneration?

Macular degeneration occurs when cells in the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for vision become damaged over time. The exact cause isn’t always known, but it is usually linked to a combination of ageing, genetics, and lifestyle factors.

Common macular degeneration causes and risk factors include:

Ageing – Most common in people over 50

Family history – Having a parent or sibling with macular degeneration

Smoking – Significantly increases your chances if getting macular degeneration

Poor diet – Especially diets high in saturated fats and low in nutrients

Blood pressure – High blood pressure and cardiovascular disease

Weight – Excess weight and lack of exercise

While you can’t control ageing or genetics, lifestyle changes, like quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, and having regular eye checks can help reduce the risk or slow the progression of macular degeneration.

How does macular degeneration affect vision?

Macular degeneration symptoms may include:

  • Blurred or fuzzy central vision

  • Difficulty reading, even with glasses

  • Distorted vision, where straight lines appear wavy or bent

  • Difficulty recognising faces

  • Dark or blank patches in the centre of your vision

  • Reduced night vision and colour clarity.

How is macular degeneration diagnosed?

Macular degeneration is diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

During an eye exam, your eye care professional will check your vision and examine the retina and macula at the back of your eye, and may recommend or include:

Diagnostic test Description
Orthoptic Examination: Assessment of visual acuity, stereo-vision, double-vision, ocular motility and size of eye-turn.
Slit Lamp Exam: A microscope examination to assess the general health of the eye and retina.
Cycloplegic Retinoscopy: Usually for children, cyclopentolate eye drops temporarily dilate the pupil and relax the eye’s focusing muscles, allowing a more accurate refraction measurement.
Additional Testing: Using the IOL Master to accurately measure the length of the eye in cases of short-sightedness..
cataract diagnosis

These tests are crucial because, in the early stages, most forms of macular degeneration present no symptoms. Regular comprehensive eye exams are the only way to detect the disease before significant, irreversible vision loss occurs.

Macular Degeneration Treatment Melbourne

If you have any questions about macular degeneration, appointment bookings, location or opening hours, visit:

How is macular degeneration treated?

Macular Degeneration Treatment

Treatment for dry macular degeneration

Dry macular degeneration is the most common form and usually progresses slowly. While there is no direct medical treatment, management focuses on protecting vision, and may include:

Lifestyle changes – Stopping smoking, eating a healthy diet rich in leafy greens, fruits, and omega-3s
Nutritional supplements – Specific eye vitamins (such as AREDS2 formulations) may help slow progression in some patients
Regular monitoring – Routine eye exams and use of tools like an Amsler grid to detect changes early.

Treatment for wet macular degeneration

Wet Macular Degeneration is less common, but more serious, and requires prompt treatment that may include:

Anti-VEGF injections – Medications are injected into the eye to stop abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage. These are the most effective and commonly used treatments
Photodynamic therapy – Uses a light-activated drug and laser to target abnormal blood vessels (used less commonly today)
Laser treatment – In some cases, lasers are used to seal leaking blood vessels.

Although macular degeneration cannot be cured, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, especially for wet macular degeneration, can significantly slow vision loss and help maintain quality of life.

Frequently asked questions about Macular Degeneration?

Whilst there is no cure for macular degeneration, prompt treatment can help slow its progression:

Wet Macular Degeneration can be treated with eye injections.

Dry Macular Degeneration is managed with lifestyle changes and sometimes supplements.

With treatment, most patients have a reasonable chance of maintaining good vision.

If left untreated, patients with macular degeneration will lose the central vision and find it difficult to read and write, recognise the details of other people faces and be able see the TV clearly. But they will maintain enough peripheral vision to navigate their way around the room (ambulatory vision).

t can’t be completely prevented, but you can reduce your risk by:

Not smoking
Eating a healthy diet
Exercising regularly
Having regular eye exams

It varies:

Dry Macular Degeneration usually progresses slowly
Wet Macular Degeneration can develop quickly and requires urgent treatment

Symptoms may vary from person to person and is best assessed by your ophthalmologist.

You should seek care if you notice:

  • Sudden or worsening vision changes
  • Distorted or wavy lines
  • Dark spots in your vision

Regular eye checks are recommended, especially if you are over 50 or have risk factors.

There is a weak hereditary element.

Macular Degeneration Treatment Melbourne

If you have any questions about macular degeneration, appointment bookings, location or opening hours, visit:

Proud member of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.

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