Skip to main content

Macular Degeneration

Patients enjoying clear central vision with macular degeneration care at NewView Eye Center
Older couple enjoying an active life outdoors together

What Is Macular Degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration, commonly called AMD, is one of the leading causes of central vision loss in adults over 50 in the United States. At our practice serving Northern Virginia, our eye doctors diagnose and monitor AMD and work closely with patients to protect their remaining vision and slow the disease's progression.

AMD affects the macula — the small central part of your retina responsible for the sharp, straight-ahead vision you use to read, drive, and recognize faces. The damage builds gradually, so regular eye exams are essential for catching it early and understanding what raises your risk.

Learn More

What AMD Does to Your Vision

Learn More

01

How the Macula Works

The macula at the center of your retina gives you the sharp, straight-ahead vision you use for reading and driving. AMD blurs this central vision while your side vision stays largely intact.

02

Dry AMD and Wet AMD

In dry AMD, yellow deposits called drusen build up and the macula slowly thins. Wet AMD is less common but more aggressive, with abnormal vessels leaking fluid or blood beneath the retina.

03

Stages of the Disease

Doctors classify AMD as early, intermediate, or late. Early AMD often has no symptoms, while late AMD — geographic atrophy or wet AMD — can cause meaningful central vision loss.

04

How Common Is AMD?

AMD is the leading cause of irreversible central vision loss in adults over 50, affecting millions of Americans age 40 and older. It spares peripheral vision, so total blindness is rare.

Risk Factors You
Can Change

Several AMD risk factors are within your control. Small, consistent choices add up over time and can meaningfully lower your chances of developing the disease or slow its progression.

Smoking

Smoking is the strongest modifiable risk factor for AMD, roughly doubling your risk. Quitting at any age helps, and we can point you toward resources that support cessation.

Diet and Body Weight

A diet high in saturated fats and processed foods fuels inflammation that harms the macula. Dark leafy greens, omega-3-rich fish, and a healthy weight all help protect it.

Heart and Blood Vessel Health

High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease reduce blood flow to the retina. Managing them with your primary care provider protects the vessels that nourish your eyes.

Sun Exposure

Years of ultraviolet exposure can add up to cumulative retinal damage. Sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays, plus a wide-brimmed hat, offer simple protection outdoors.

How We Find and Monitor AMD

AMD can develop for years before you notice any change in your vision, so how it is detected matters. We combine in-office exams, advanced imaging, and a simple home tool to catch AMD early and track it over time.

Learn More
01

Dilated Eye Exams

Dilating drops widen your pupils so your eye doctor can clearly view the macula and retina. Because early AMD often has no symptoms, adults over 50 should have a dilated exam every year.

02

Imaging and Testing

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a painless scan that captures detailed cross-sections of the retina, revealing drusen, fluid, and tissue changes. Retinal photography creates a baseline to compare over time.

03

Home Monitoring With the Amsler Grid

The Amsler grid is a simple chart of straight lines with a central dot. Checking one eye at a time for wavy, blurry, or missing lines can flag a shift from dry to wet AMD that needs prompt care.

Risk Factors You Cannot Change

Some risk factors are beyond your control, but knowing them helps you and your eye doctor decide how closely to screen and monitor your vision over time.

Learn More

Age is the most significant risk factor you can't change. Risk climbs meaningfully after 50 and rises with each decade, which makes annual dilated exams increasingly valuable as you get older.

AMD has a strong hereditary component. If a parent or sibling has been diagnosed, your risk is higher than average — sharing your family history helps us decide how closely to monitor you.

White Americans have a higher rate of AMD than other groups, especially at older ages. Still, AMD affects people of all backgrounds, so no one should skip regular eye exams assuming their risk is low.

Treatment Options
for AMD

There is no cure for AMD yet, but several treatments can slow the disease and protect the vision you have. The right approach depends on the type and stage of AMD you have.

AREDS2 Supplements

For intermediate AMD, the AREDS2 vitamin formula has been shown to cut the risk of progressing to advanced AMD by about 25%. Your eye doctor confirms whether these supplements suit your stage.

Anti-VEGF Injections for Wet AMD

Wet AMD needs prompt care. Anti-VEGF medication injected into the eye stops abnormal blood vessel growth and leaking, stabilizing vision and often recovering some that was lost.

Treatments for Geographic Atrophy

Geographic atrophy is advanced dry AMD. FDA-approved injections that target the complement immune pathway can slow the growth of damaged areas, though they can't restore vision already lost.

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about macular degeneration and how NewView Eye Center can help.

AMD damages central vision but spares peripheral vision, so total blindness from AMD alone is rare. You may lose the ability to read fine print, drive, or recognize faces clearly, yet usually keep enough side vision to move around and manage many daily tasks. Low-vision tools and specialists help you stay independent.

No. AREDS2 is a specific, clinically tested formula, and ordinary multivitamins don't match its combination or doses. It uses lutein and zeaxanthin instead of beta-carotene, which was found to raise lung cancer risk in current and former smokers. Confirm with your eye doctor that you're taking the correct AREDS2 dose for your stage.

Contact your eye doctor the same day. New waviness, blank spots, or distortion on the Amsler grid or in everyday vision can signal a shift from dry to wet AMD. Wet AMD can progress quickly, and prompt treatment gives you the best chance of preserving your vision — don't wait for your next scheduled visit.

For most adults over 50 without known AMD, a dilated exam once a year is a reasonable starting point, and early AMD is usually monitored annually. If you have intermediate or advanced AMD, or you're being treated for wet AMD, you may need visits every few months so we can track changes and adjust your care.

Routine genetic testing isn't currently recommended, because knowing your genetic profile hasn't been shown to change treatment or improve outcomes. The AREDS2 formula benefits patients across all genetic types. If you have questions about family history and personal risk, discussing them with your eye doctor is the most useful first step.

Yes, especially in the earlier stages. Quitting smoking is the single most protective change you can make. Pair it with a diet rich in leafy greens and fish, well-managed blood pressure and cholesterol, a healthy weight, and UV-blocking sunglasses — alongside regular eye exams and any treatments your doctor recommends.

Ready to see Clearly Again?

Book an Appointment

Hear From Their Experience

“I feel like I'm seeing in HD, and I'm so grateful.”

Patricia Shank

“I still have 20/20 vision, and this was like a miracle to me in my life.”

Dr. Renee Yingling

“They were able to keep the monovision, and I am absolutely thrilled.”

Carol

Our Clinic Locations

Explore More

Find more information about our doctors, services, and technology that keep your eyes healthy and your vision at its best.

Coping With Diabetic Vision Loss: Tools, Technology, and Support Common Myths About Diabetes and Eye Health Diabetes Remission and Your Eye Health Can Diabetic Retinopathy Be Reversed? Blood Glucose Levels and Vision Corneal Transplants: Restoring Clarity and Vision

What our Patients Says

Excellent practice! Dr. Griffiths and her staff are top-notch. Thorough eye exams, ample time spent explaining everything, and answers to all questions. Highly recommend NewView Eye Center!

Linda Cummings

Dr. Griffiths and her staff are the best in the business. Their care and professionalism are outstanding. If you’re looking for excellent eye care, look no further!

Nicole Baker Fulgham

Doctor Callahan is absolutely the best! She is friendly, takes her time, and top in her field. I'll never go anywhere else

Gloria Eshelman

Staff is very professional, office clean and well kept. Dr. Griffiths is very personable and does a great job explaining my condition.

Julie Carbaugh

After years with other ophthalmologists, I found Dr. Griffiths, dedicated, professional, and thorough. Her in-depth tests and consultations ensure my vision stays healthy, which is very important to me.

Denise kelly

I needed general anesthesia for cataract surgery, and other providers couldn’t help. Dr. Callahan got it approved. After my first surgery, I have 20/20 vision! Amazing results—she’s worth the wait!

Therese Silvent

Schedule your appointment today

Book an Appointment